Pregnancy is often described as a time of joy, anticipation, and transformation. Yet for many women of color in the United States, it is also a period marked by stress, frustration, and at times, fear. As a Black woman navigating my own pregnancy, I’ve had to confront the sobering truth that systemic racism and bias run deep within our healthcare system—a reality that has shaped my experience from the very beginning.
Although my pregnancy has been relatively healthy, the journey to finding adequate care has been fraught with challenges. I’ve encountered doctors who dismissed my concerns, communication lapses that left me feeling confused and unheard, and an overall lack of urgency when it came to my well-being. At just 23 weeks, I made the difficult decision to leave my medical team and seek care elsewhere. It was not a choice I made lightly, but one that became necessary for the health of both myself and my baby.
Women are often taught to be agreeable, to avoid “making waves,” even in situations that directly affect our health. But pregnancy is no time for silence. When care is inadequate, when our voices are dismissed, speaking up is not only an act of self-advocacy—it is a matter of survival.
The Stark Reality of Maternal Health Disparities
The United States continues to face a maternal health crisis, and women of color are bearing the brunt of it. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Indigenous women also face elevated risks. These are not abstract numbers; they reflect lives lost, families fractured, and systemic failures left unaddressed.
The disparities are rooted not in biology but in bias—racism within the healthcare system that manifests in countless ways: underestimating women’s pain, dismissing their concerns, delaying interventions, or providing substandard care. While these issues have been acknowledged for years, meaningful reform has been painfully slow.
Finding the Courage to Advocate
For me, advocacy became non-negotiable. It required persistence—calling department heads, contacting hospital leadership, and pressing until my concerns were finally acknowledged. It wasn’t easy. It was exhausting. But it was necessary. Refusing to accept mediocre care was an act of protection—for myself, for my baby, and for every woman who has been told to simply accept what is given.
Pregnant women, especially women of color, should not have to fight this hard to be heard. Yet until the system changes, we must remind ourselves that our voices matter. Speaking up may ruffle feathers, but our lives and the lives of our children are worth every uncomfortable conversation.
Beyond Advocacy: Demanding Systemic Change
Individual advocacy is powerful, but it cannot fix the larger problem. To truly improve maternal health outcomes, we need sweeping change:
- Accountability: Healthcare providers and institutions must be held accountable for the care they deliver.
- Policy reform: Lawmakers must address systemic racism in maternal healthcare, ensuring equal protections for all.
- Training and awareness: Providers must receive better education on implicit bias and how it affects their patients.
- Access to equitable care: All women, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, deserve access to safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
Building Support and Solidarity
Change also requires community. For women of color, having a support system—partners, friends, family, or dedicated support groups—can make a world of difference during pregnancy. For white women, acknowledging privilege and checking in on BIPOC friends is one way to stand in solidarity. Listening, learning, and offering support helps create an environment where all mothers feel seen and valued.
Educating ourselves about our rights, seeking out healthcare providers who are committed to equity, and leaning on community resources are practical steps we can take today. These steps don’t erase the systemic barriers, but they empower us to navigate them with greater strength and resilience.
Toward a More Equitable Future
Pregnancy should be a time when every woman feels supported, respected, and safe. Yet the maternal health crisis in the U.S. reveals a very different reality—one that disproportionately harms women of color. My own journey has underscored how urgent the need for change truly is.
We cannot afford to remain silent. We must speak up, demand accountability, and advocate for systemic reform. Together, we can push toward a future where maternal care is equitable, compassionate, and inclusive. A future where every woman—regardless of race or background—can step into motherhood with dignity and security.
Because our lives, and the lives of our children, depend on it.
