The author recounts her personal experience with preeclampsia after giving birth, highlighting the disparities within the healthcare system that disproportionately affect Black women. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the health of birthing people of color, not just their babies, and shares insights from her own research and birthing experience. She stresses the need to build a support network, find healthcare providers who are accommodating, consider adding a doula to advocate for you, and use tools that address specific data-supported needs.
The author recommends utilizing apps and resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by communities of color during pregnancy and childbirth. She mentions apps such as Health in Her Hue, the Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence, Wolomi, and Shero as valuable resources for women of color. She also introduces her own app, The Journey Pregnancy, designed to document all aspects of maternal health from pregnancy testing to postpartum recovery. With an increasing number of founders of color addressing these needs, more innovative solutions are likely to emerge in the future.
The author emphasizes the importance of arming oneself with personal health data to advocate for better care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. By tracking blood pressure, symptoms, and other medical information, individuals can engage in productive, data-driven conversations with healthcare providers and ensure that their needs are met. Objective data can also help reduce bias in care and empower individuals to speak up for their health with confidence and authority.
In light of the increased risks faced by people of color during pregnancy and childbirth, the author stresses the importance of being proactive, informed, and empowered throughout the prenatal and postpartum journey. By understanding one’s own body, utilizing digital tools to track health data, and building a support network that includes advocates like doulas, individuals can navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and prioritize their own well-being. The author’s experience with preeclampsia serves as a reminder of the systemic inequities that exist within the healthcare system and the need for proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of birthing people of color.
