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Absolutely stunned to hear that USA has the most maternal deaths in the world.

And that 4 times as many black women die than white women.

"In fact black women are 243% more likely to die from a pregnancy than a white woman."

That was a quote by Joe Kennedy iii

So i looked it up in the uk and black women here are also 4 times as more likely to die, and asian women twice as likely to die.

What can be done to safeguard these women?

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bijouxbroussard · F Best Comment

Absolutely. Those who have less money have less access to healthcare, which makes all the difference.
It’s the same in the U.S.

There’s a major disparity in how women of color are treated for pregnancy-related complications. Findings show that Black moms are roughly three times more likely to die in childbirth or of pregnancy-related complications than non-Hispanic white women, while Native American and Alaskan Native women are about two-and-a-half times more likely.

The reasons why are complicated. Women of color are more likely to have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, late prenatal care and obesity. Poverty and a lack of access to health care increase the chances that these issues end up going untreated — and resulting in issues that could lead to maternal death.

Institutionalized racism plays a big part, too. When women of color with access to health care speak up about a concern, they’re more likely to be dismissed and ultimately go untreated.

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BabyLonia · F

@bijouxbroussard this report said that even when you take away the variance caused by less access to healthcare and insurance and good hospitals the disparity is still way to high. It is because doctors and nurses do not give black women the same level of care

bijouxbroussard · F

@BabyLonia That’s where the institutionalized racism comes in, unfortunately. People are not treated the same way.

JustGoneNow

@BabyLonia @bijouxbroussard Breaks my heart. 🖤

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@bijouxbroussard critical race theory! There is at least 30% of the US population that not only for not believe it exist, but won't even allow it be e be discussed in schools?

bijouxbroussard · F

@samueltyler2 That’s correct. There are now some states that don’t want Martin Luther King, Jr. taught about, because teaching why he was important would have to include informing kids about Jim Crow laws that existed here.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@bijouxbroussard Well said!

It's only going to get worse too... I'm scared to find out what the numbers will be like post-roe.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Scribbles I’ve thought about that, too. Women risk their lives to have children that they want. How will things be for those forced to give birth ?

JustGoneNow

@Scribbles @bijouxbroussard it’s gonna get ugly. The Christian lady that wanted to have a child on that video of Nerdypotato’s that had to go through protestors at an abortion clinic yelling horrible things at her to abort a non viable pregnancy for a child she had actually wanted is heartbreaking. I’m afraid for the future.

bijouxbroussard · F

@JustGoneNow I remember when at least two of us would escort women and girls past the protesters into the PP clinic. The clinic had a restraining order against the protesters; it prevented them from blocking the entrance, so they stood across the street near the parking lot, and clients were often afraid to get out of their cars. One of my favorite volunteers was a guy named Zeus. He was black, 6’10" about 390 lbs with locks and a formidable presence, to say the least. He would just shoot a look at those cursing men and they’d shut right up. Whenever an escort was needed I’d try to find him to go with me. He told me once, "you look too sweet ! Try to look meaner and blacker !”
😅

JustGoneNow

@bijouxbroussard “And blacker” *giggles* I read that to my wife and she rolled her eyes. She’s a quarter black and kinda been told that her whole life. She’s really fair skinned black.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@bijouxbroussard Thank God for you, Zeus and everybody who helps escort people. I remember making the almost 2 hour drive to the nearest PP clinic as a 14 year old with a friend of mine (who was barely old enough to drive).

We were scared to death of being in a new place, and ashamed someone would scold us for going in or that we weren't allowed somehow, and scared and worried to not go in because we knew it was probably our only option for any sort of reproductive healthcare or birth control. We didn't trust our regular doctor or parents. We weren't sure what to expect or have access to...but I did know my.friend desperately needed a morning after pill after her boyfriend took his condom off mid sex.

We were scared of the two people looking ready for us to leave the car and confront us ...who were clearly protesting right by the door. We didn't know anything about FACE or anything that was supposed to help protect our right to enter the building at that moment, we had only heard stories about violence, arson, and verbal harassment from protestors . We didn't even know about volunteer escorts! We were still gathering our courage when this tall grey haired man came outside and offered to walk with us if we wanted, and offered to go get a lady friend to walk with us also if we wanted. I bloody stuck close to him and grabbed and held the man's hand for a few feet by the door at one point.

God bless him. :)

JustGoneNow

@Scribbles Amen. 🖤🙏

JustGoneNow

@bijouxbroussard @Scribbles
Love you both. 🖤🤗

LeopoldBloom · M

@bijouxbroussard I used to do clinic defense too. Those anti abortion protesters were terrorists and should have been treated as such.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@LeopoldBloom Thank you for doing clinic defense as well!

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@JustGoneNow 💚 💜 💚 Sending lots of love back!

(You're so creative with heart colors, I never know what color heart to pick in response 😅. Today ,I'm picking my favorite colors. Though I'd love a darker green heart to go with that purple. Then my emoji hearts could properly be the color of violets (a favorite flower of mine). So there you go...flowers and hearts for you. Hope you aren't allergic!

JustGoneNow

@LeopoldBloom I don’t understand the hate that many spew. That’s not the message of Jesus. I can’t imagine any of the people from churches that I’ve been in including the one I’m in now doing something like that. I just don’t get it. Doesn’t seem very Christian at all.

JustGoneNow

@Scribbles I’m not. so ty, love. 🖤

You being kind to my friend btw? (my friend is you, so I want to make sure you’re being kind to you. 😉🖤🤗)

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@JustGoneNow I'm doing much better, thank you. Trying not to beat myself up and stress out and worry. Had a little too much going on lately and just needed to scream or vent and vent and vent and get it out of my system. 😅

JustGoneNow

@Scribbles Whatever you need. 🖤🤗

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@JustGoneNow You're a gem. 🤗

JustGoneNow

@Scribbles ty. likewise. 😊🖤🤗

LeopoldBloom · M

@Scribbles It's discouraging that I may have to do it again. Although here in Georgia, the clinics have closed as we have one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the U.S.

LeopoldBloom · M

@JustGoneNow Republican Jesus has nothing to do with the actual Jesus.

JustGoneNow

@LeopoldBloom I don’t know anything about that.

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