Black Maternal Health public meeting - tomorrow

10 replies

ArabellaScott · 14/04/2021 22:09

This is tomorrow night at 6.30pm:

'Campaigners have long called for action on Black maternal health outcomes. A recent Dispatches documentary "The Black Maternity Scandal", highlighted the existing racial disparities in maternal health, and revealed that Black women are 4 times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women. For women of mixed heritage this is 3 times more and for Asian women 2 times more. Women of Black African heritage are 83% more likely to suffer a ‘near miss’ in childbirth, and women of Black Caribbean heritage are 80% more likely to. Research also found that Black children have a 121% increased risk of stillbirth and a 50% increased risk of neonatal death.

Despite these harrowing statistics, a report from the Joint Human Rights Committee, released in November 2020, revealed that whilst the NHS "regrets" this disparity, it "has no target" to end it.

Following an award-nominated Parliamentary Petition, which received signatures from over 187,000 people Black Maternal Health Campaign, Five X More, has secured a debate in Parliament. Ahead of this debate, campaigners, experts and women with personal experience will be discussing these disparities and what must be done to improve maternal outcomes for Black women. Register to join the discussion.'

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z7ms__ueSR6xFWj5yW2saA

OP posts:

SunsetBeetch · 14/04/2021 22:11

Despite these harrowing statistics, a report from the Joint Human Rights Committee, released in November 2020, revealed that whilst the NHS "regrets" this disparity, it "has no target" to end it.

Absolutely shocking.

MeadowHay · 14/04/2021 22:18

I'm mixed race and I was a service user at some local listening events awhile ago for BAME maternity service users. Some of the stories were shocking and there were a lot of themes that came up over and over again such as not being listened to or lack of adequate pain relief during labour. I know these are issues that are commonly raised by white women as well of course but the issues seem to be worse with BAME women. In my first pregnancy I had no idea of these disparities. Now in my second pregnancy I find it scary to know these stats

Original poster

ArabellaScott · 14/04/2021 22:29

Hoping all goes well for you, MeadowHay. I found that I was far less inclined to take any bullshit or accept the say-so of HCPs in my 2nd pregnancy. It was a completely different experience, from start to finish.

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AssassinatedBeauty · 14/04/2021 22:33

How can there be no target to end it? That's appalling. I hope that there continues to be awareness of this and it doesn't just get swept under the carpet as it has been so far.

StillAFemale · 14/04/2021 22:55

@MeadowHay

This is one of the challenges, when white women have similar problems although the statistics suggest it is not to the same degree it’s will be very difficult to call out a HCP and say ‘you are treating me worse because I am Black’

It seems too obvious to state it needs to be monitored in detail to understand where things are going wrong and the NHS must have targets to close that gap but that report suggests it still needs to be stated.

StillAFemale · 14/04/2021 22:58

MeadowHay I hope everything goes well for you , those statistics are scary and unacceptable. I’m glad this is getting some discussion

Original poster

ArabellaScott · 14/04/2021 23:02

This is the group running it

www.fivexmore.com/

Petition debate in HoC on 19th April, will be watchable /live streamed, I think.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/301079

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CardinalLolzy · 14/04/2021 23:06

Thread here discussing Black Mothers Matter - a charity to support Black mothers.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4193378-Black-Mothers-Matter-Non-profit-supporting-black-women-during-pregnancy

The stats above are absolutely appalling.