Systemic Racism and Pregnancy Are a Dangerous Mix

I want my future partner and child to arrive safely, so we will be diligent and on guard against medical racism

A Black woman, who is pregnant, visits her doctor. In a perfect world, all doctors would listen to and believe their pregnant, Black patients. Photo: Getty.

I have a very unusual relationship with the idea of pregnancy. It’s always been fascinating, in part because I find the idea of carrying a child a terrifying endeavor. At 35, I’ve had a considerable change of heart. I fully believe watching a woman carry my child will be one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. But, the beauty of pregnancy is belied by its danger.

According to the CDC, Black women are two or three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, but thanks to racial and ethnic disparities, pregnancy-related deaths have persisted.

Black women over the age of 30 are four to five times more likely to die giving birth than White women. Furthermore, Black women with at least a college degree were 5.2 times more likely to die than their White counterparts. Those numbers are particularly concerning since that’s my exact dating demographic.

The CDC recommends hospitals and health care systems implement standardized protocols that serve disproportionately affected communities and address racial biases in health…