It shouldn’t be a secret that mothers begin to question everything once they come to terms with being pregnant. Our lives are no longer just about us – literally! Our physical bodies are growing another human being. So it is safe to say that finding the best healthcare we can possibly find becomes a priority for expecting mothers — no matter which number pregnancy it is.
When I first moved to Texas, I made it a point to find a Black provider knowing my past experience with not being understood by previous medical professionals. When I wanted to talk about my heavy and painful periods, I was quickly thrown on birth control, and when I had skin concerns, I was dismissed until I kept pestering the physician for a referral. I knew that my health was solely my responsibility but thought there had to be a better way to relate to my medical providers. I am not a doctor – and I wanted to be able to trust that what I was being told was coming from someone who also had my best interest in mind.
Unfortunately, for Black mothers, this has been a constant struggle
I didn't have to explain that some of the typical medical interventions weren't safe for Black women
I didn’t have to relay my concern that I didn’t fully understand what the issue even was to start out with – she explained everything to me using terminology usually found when talking about natural hair, and I immediately understood. This time that we didn’t waste allowed me to deliver a healthy baby boy that night.
A typical pregnancy is supervised by an OB-GYN, but the possibilities of managing a pregnancy are varied. An expecting mother has the opportunity to work with a midwife, a doula, labor and delivery nurses, anesthesiologist, and pediatrician. While you may not be able to hand select each member of your team, one of your provider’s or support persons could allow you to introduce some support from a person you fully trust and can communicate with easily.
You don't have to find your support team alone
Coordination can be done through the health facility, patient, health care provider, and system liaisons to help commingle all the necessary providers. If you’re having trouble finding qualified professionals who meet your expectations, community health workers are tasked to be a liaison between the community and physicians to make sure people can understand and communicate with their doctor.
And finding a Black physician to be on your team doesn’t have to stop with pregnancy. Finding trusting providers for dermatology, mental health, dentistry, family care, and more could be great spots to fill with quality level providers. Your health is your responsibility and using whatever means you need to find providers that you trust is the way to go.
