Advocating for black mothers is difficult.
At 35, Latoya Baskin was thrilled to be pregnant with her first child, Jason, but had concerns about giving birth.
“I’ve definitely heard and seen stories about how it’s harder or more that you have to advocate for yourself a little bit more as an African-American,” Baskin said.
“We know that black people or people of many different backgrounds are less likely to experience either their labor and delivery care or their outcomes,” said Dr. Alison Bryant, associate chief health equity officer at Mass General Brigham. There are inequities or differences in method.” .
Professional support person
Having a doula or professional support person can help reduce C-section rates, improve the patient experience and promote breastfeeding, but it can be expensive, Bryant said. So Mass General Brigham started a program called Birth Partners, which pairs a doula with expectant parents of color. The Birth Partners program now serves about 130 expectant mothers a year.
Baskin faced off against Asia Lee, who has danced in the Boston area for 30 years.
“When I advocate, I’m advocating for the patient, not the nurses,” Lee said. “So I’m guiding her, telling her, if she’s not liking what’s going on, how do you feel about it? I don’t like it, I don’t like it. Once she tells me what she doesn’t like, I guide her through what she doesn’t like about it so her voice is heard.
Lee met with Bryant before, during and after the delivery and soon became a member of her birth team.
“Another person in my village who will help me along the way, Baskin said.