Building a Better System for Black Moms: How Edith Institute is Transforming Maternal Healthcare

Black mothers deserve a healthcare system that prioritizes their well-being, not one that demands relentless advocacy just to be heard. The current system has gaps that perpetuate disparities, but meaningful change is possible if we address the root causes. Here’s what that could look like:

Better Training for Healthcare Providers

Anti-racism birth training for nurses, midwives, and doctors should be standard, not optional. Providers must be equipped to recognize and address implicit biases that can negatively impact care. Edith Institute is leading the charge by developing a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program that incorporates the lived experiences of Black mothers. These programs will prepare healthcare providers to deliver equitable and compassionate care, ensuring that Black mothers feel seen, heard, and respected throughout their healthcare journey.

Accessible Care

Programs that offer free doulas to support mothers during childbirth have been lifesaving in states like New York and Texas. Doulas serve as advocates, ensuring moms’ voices are amplified during critical moments. Imagine if such programs were universal. Expanding access to these services nationwide could drastically improve outcomes for Black mothers.

Policy-Level Support

Paid leave, postpartum care, affordable childcare, and ongoing family support are not luxuries; they’re essentials. Comprehensive federal policies, such as universal paid family leave and guaranteed access to culturally competent doulas and midwives, are necessary to address the root causes of maternal health disparities. State-level initiatives are a step in the right direction, but true equity requires nationwide solutions.

A Cultural Shift

Respecting Black mothers means addressing the broader maternal mortality crisis with urgency. We need a shift from expecting mothers to advocate for themselves to building a system that listens to and values them from the start.

Advocacy is a powerful tool, but it shouldn’t be a mother’s only lifeline. It’s time to stop asking Black moms to bear the burden of fixing broken systems and start creating solutions that work for everyone.

How Edith Institute Is Leading Change

Edith Institute’s “The Mama We See” project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing disparities in maternal care through education and systemic change. Here’s how:

Listening to Black Mothers

Black mothers disproportionately experience complications such as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and obstetric hemorrhage. To understand these challenges, Edith Institute is conducting interviews with mothers who have lived through these conditions. These conversations capture invaluable insights about the barriers and biases Black mothers face in the healthcare system.

Transforming Medical Education

The stories and data gathered from these interviews will inform the development of a CME program for obstetric and gynecology physicians and medical staff. By incorporating real-life experiences into their training, Edith Institute aims to reduce bias, improve provider communication, and foster equitable care practices. This initiative will empower healthcare professionals to better serve Black mothers, leading to safer pregnancies and improved maternal outcomes.

Join the Movement

Healthy pregnancies and joyful motherhood should be universal experiences. By supporting Edith Institute, you’re helping to create a healthcare system that respects and values Black mothers. Together, we can build a future where no mother has to fight to be heard.