How Black Families Can Advocate for a Safe and Empowered Birth Experience

Black mothers in the United States are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women—a staggering and unacceptable statistic that speaks to deep inequities in our healthcare system. 4Kira4Moms, founded in honor of Kira Johnson who tragically lost her life due to medical negligence, is dedicated to changing those outcomes. And while real change will require collective and systemic efforts, there are some actions that Black expecting parents can take to advocate for themselves.

Here, 4Kira4Moms Executive Director Gabby Albert offers empowering, actionable advice to help Black families can have the safe, respectful, supportive birthing experiences they deserve.

Here’s what she wants every Black expecting parent to know heading into labor and delivery:

• Educate yourself and stay empowered. Knowledge is power. The more you understand about the birth process, the more control you’ll feel.
  
• You are the expert of your body and your healthcare provider is an expert in medicine. It takes a combination of both for the best outcomes. So, make sure that you choose your healthcare provider wisely- ensure that this provider is open to questions, follow up questions, and providing more information. If they are short or get annoyed find a new provider! It should be a partnership!
  
• Trust your body and your voice. Our experiences and instincts matter. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up and advocate for yourself. Learn your blood pressure baseline. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of maternal death. Get a blood pressure cuff and use it!
  
• You deserve respectful care. Do not accept dismissiveness, disrespect, or negligence. You have the right to be heard and treated with dignity. Get a copy of and Familiarize yourself with your hospitals patients bill of rights. Make sure that anytime you have a difference of opinion or if a treatment is denied that you ask that it is captured in your medical files!
  
• You are not alone! Leverage your partner and support systems. Try to have support for each visit- someone who can help keep track of questions and follow ups. This includes signing your partner up for 4Kira4Dads Paternal Centers of Excellence—a curriculum designed for men to learn across the entire pregnancy journey!
  

Gabby Albert's Steps to Advocate for Safety & Support During Labor and Delivery:

Consider midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) offer a patient-centered, holistic approach to birth.

• Midwives reduce intervention rates, improve birth outcomes, and provide personalized, culturally competent care—especially important for Black parents facing medical bias.
• Explore birth centers or home birth options if appropriate and safe for your pregnancy.
• If birthing in a hospital, you can still choose a hospital-based midwife to support a more natural birth experience. 

Choose a supportive provider and birth team.

• Research hospitals, birth centers, and home birth midwives with strong maternal health outcomes for Black parents.
• Consider hiring a doula, as studies show doulas improve birth outcomes and advocate for patients.
• Seek culturally competent, patient-centered care

Educate yourself and know your rights.

• Understand birth options, interventions, and potential risks
• Learn about your right to informed consent and refusal—no procedure should happen without your agreement
• Ask questions about hospital policies and standard procedures.

Create a birth plan.

• Outline your preferences for labor, pain management, delivery, and postpartum care.
• Include emergency scenarios (e.g., how to approach a C-section if needed).
• Share it with your birth team but remain flexible.

Speak up and self-advocate.

• If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and voice concerns
• Bring a trusted advocate (partner, family member, doula, or midwife) who can speak up if you are not being heard
• Keep a record of interactions with medical staff

Know the warning signs of maternal health complications.

• Be aware of symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling, and excessive bleeding postpartum.
• If dismissed or ignored, insist on further evaluation or seek a second opinion.
• Call for emergency care if necessary.

Plan for postpartum care.

Have a postpartum plan addressing physical and emotional recovery, breastfeeding support, and mental health check-ins. (Related: Mental Health Resources for Black Parents)

• Monitor postpartum warning signs, as complications can arise weeks after delivery.
• Midwives and doulas can offer home visits postpartum, providing continued care and support. 

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.