Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibg2FyHET1c&ab_channel=11Alive
Bodies, when in labor, women begin to start with those agonizing contractions, the pain that a woman feels during childbirth is astonishing to me. How can a body tolerate so much pain to bring out new life into the world? The pain can be so overwhelming to the point where you need to have an epidural to at least rest and have energy for when you start the pushing process. When you are giving birth, maybe you can naturally push your child out but in other times if you are unable to you need an emergency C-section. Most times after a woman is done giving birth, she may have complications, such as high blood pressure, loss of blood, etc. But what if doctors choose to show negligence towards these mothers? What if they were a Black mother? After the documentary we watched, my eyes were open to the unequal treatment being given towards Black mother while giving birth, we saw with great sadness the passing of these mothers who could have been treated and cared for their complications right away. But it was the healthcare system and medical workers that had failed them. After watching this documentary and learning more about the maternal health system towards Black women, I began to do some research. I began watching videos of any other Black mother who was going through the same thing or experience. Black women are 3 times more likely to die from complications during birth because of the lack of care from medical staff. I have shared a link to the video so no one is confused lol. Brittnay Alverson, a mother of now four describes her traumatic experience being in the delivery room. Alverson’s main reason for her feeling traumatize was one thing that stood out to me the most, “I didn’t know how to advocate to myself and I was expecting those (medical professionals) to do the right thing.” This woman put her trust into these medical workers who ended up not caring for her in a dire moment. Alverson when in the delivery room was in labor for 5 hours and had ongoing contractions. On top of that she had passed a blood clot (which is something very terrifying to go through when giving birth) where no doctor had come to check up on her about that complication. It was only that after she had started the delivery process that medical doctors rushed in to help, although her birth was successful, the after birth was a turmoil. She began to see “tv static,” as she described it till she saw black. Turns out that during that evening she was supposed to get a blood transfusion, and as always it wasn’t until after that the doctor actually provided medical assistance for it to be done. What’s even worse about this case is that Alverson’s doctor forgot to sign off the medical forms which ultimately led her to wait 12 grueling hours until she was able to get that procedure. Alverson states that she wasn’t able to hold her baby, change her diapers, she couldn’t even bathe. After this transfusion, the doctor never saw her again and didn’t bother to ask her how she was feeling after the transfusion. Thankfully this mother is well again also having her fifth child, but she was able to have a Black OBGYN and that doctor was able to take care of her, be patient and slow with the process and overall not be negligent with her patient. Seeing that this is a sadly normal thing to happen towards Black women pinched a nerve. I was angry at the racial disparities that were happening in a place where health should be the number one priority, not race. I was upset at the health care system for failing the lives of many Black women that had to endure the pain that they always advocate for. Doctors should be able to provide full care to a woman giving birth no matter what race they are, no matter the circumstances.
Unruly Bodies 
Hello. This was a great piece. Have you seen the film on Hulu titled “Aftershock”? This very topic is discussed as the film follows families and partners of the women that passed during or after childbirth due to unethical behavior by medical staff. It’s like Black women aren’t being taken serious or believed when it comes to their bodies and pregnancy. Yes, the medical staff are very knowledgeable, but they can not know what the woman is feeling, so having more empathy and listening to their concerns are important. Also, treating them like they are less human or being stereotypical. For example, in the film, the dad gave the situation of his girlfriend’s final moments when they had been back and forth to the hospital for weeks after she gave birth. She had very troubling symptoms such as not being able to breathe to well, being tired and not having any energy to even move and in constant pain. The hospital sent her home every time, like her symptoms were nothing they worried about. On this particular night, she was in so much pain, that her boyfriend call 911 and the ambulance came. While her family members were gathered outside and terrified of her appearance, various EMT’s approached different members and asked questions such as “Is she on any drugs” and “Did she take anything?” That attitude was taking time from getting her to the hospital for the much needed medical attention. It was only then that various tests were performed and there were several complications that she was having post birth. Unfortunately, this time was too late and she died. Say her name…Sharmoni Gibson. The other example is when the woman and her HUSAND were going to Labor and Delivery for some concerns and the security guard tells her husband, “Oh your BABY DADDY can stay in the waiting room”. Like that is his perception of black families? The fact that the staff found nothing wrong with this behavior is ridiculous. Advocating for your body as a Black woman during pregnancy and childbirth is extremely important. Speaking up when you know or believe you are being ignored lets the medical professionals know that your voice will be heard, whether it is making a complaint against medical professionals, telling your experience on social media, switching doctors or writing to your local representatives, do whatever needs to be done to save your life and your baby’s. Period.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but we must be aware of the fact that black women are dying at much higher rates of childbirth compared to other racial groups, due to medical negligence which could be prevented. Not only do we need to be aware of the issue, but check our own internal biases, and have more empathy for each other’s struggles.
This analysis reminds me of the argument we discussed in class from one of our readings, that people with disabilities are only disabled because society disables them. In a similar sense, if black women were taken seriously, especially when it comes to their health, they wouldn’t have to struggle as much as their counterparts. It’s only society that treats them differently, even thought there’s nothing inherently different about them.
The way Black women are failed by the medical system in America is truly disappointing and disheartening, especially during a time as vulnerable as pregnancy and labor. The fact that Brittnay Alverson felt the medical professionals wouldn’t do the right thing is already so unfortunate, but the fact that the medical professionals didn’t do the right thing is even more unfortunate and tragic.