As Christians, how do we respond to the news that black women are five times more likely to die in pregnancy than white women?

As an obstetrician working at a tertiary level hospital in Central London, it has been clear for many years, that some  women were over-represented for admissions to hospital during pregnancy and in the statistics related to complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth. However it was not until the MBRRACE (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audit and Confidential Enquiries) report: “Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care, Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2015-17”, was published in December 2019, that the shocking reality of black women being five times more likely than white women to die, during pregnancy, childbirth or within one year of childbirth was realised.

As a Christian, black woman and obstetrician, I was relieved that this tragedy was finally revealed and challenged by whether I had personally contributed to these terrible statistics and what was I going to do about it?

In addition, Asian women were found to be three times more likely to die  and women of dual heritage two times more likely to die. Although this was shocking, I felt that finally this was being nationally recognised and realised to be a scandal, but it was long overdue. 

As a Christian, black woman and obstetrician, I was relieved that this tragedy was finally revealed and challenged by whether I had personally contributed to these terrible statistics and what was I going to do about it?

By the time of the 2019 publication, the idea for trying to reduce maternal mortality using maternal medicine networks, with integrated teams of midwives, obstetricians and physicians looking to  providing equity of care and experience, was in progress, not just in individual hospitals, but with active collaboration across a group of hospitals. The intention was proposed to provide the right care, at the right time and in the right place, through timely and informed collaboration, for medical problems in pregnancy, but also for all issues that arise in pregnancy with mums and/ or babies. 

Unfortunately the pandemic in 2020 arrived and once again the disparity in death rates associated with pregnancy, covid and ethnicity hit the headlines. This provided even more impetus for action and in 2021/22, throughout England, maternal medicine networks began to be created with the purpose of co-ordinating and providing equity of care, for all women who either have medical problems prior to pregnancy, which put them at higher risk while pregnant, or who develop medical conditions during pregnancy itself. Currently the networks are set up with teams of midwives, obstetric physicians (medical doctors with an interest and expertise of medical problems in pregnancy) and obstetricians (doctors with expertise in caring for pregnant women and labour and delivery). I  lead a network in London with a group of interested obstetricians, physicians and midwives and work with groups of similar professionals in Kent and Sussex who are like minded in desiring equity in the care of our women and families.

As health care professionals working within maternity  care, we recognise that we have to improve access to the best care that we can give, to everybody that requires it. We particularly need to develop effective ways to reach our refugees and recent migrants, homeless and others who cannot or do not easily access  care. We need appropriate methods to hear from and reach our women who don’t have English as their first language. There is much to do. The attitude and aptitude is described well in James chapter 3. We are not to show partiality in how we treat our women in maternity, we need to show the mercy that triumphs over judgement, stepping out towards these women and families in need. The “go in peace and be warmed and filled” statements are not enough, I have to, we have to actively do something!

As health care professionals working within maternity  care, we recognise that we have to improve access to the best care that we can give, to everybody that requires it.

Unfortunately, the Maternal Mortality report, published by MBRRACE and covering the years 2019-2021, continues to indicate that we have significant work ahead. There has been an increase in the maternal mortality rate by 15% since 2009 although the disparity in rates has decreased to 3.8 times more for black women, 1.8 times more for Asian women and parity for dual heritage women. Despite this we believe the work being done by the expanding maternal medicine networks, with the emphasis of equity of care (right treatment, at the right time, in the right place) will be one of the things to make a difference. 

Finally, care for women and babies during pregnancy and postnatally, has been under the spotlight across the country for some years. There has been a  loss of confidence in the process of childbirth, the care women expect to receive and faith for good outcomes. Teams across Womens’ health are working hard to not only bring equity, but establish it as a right for every woman who experiences child birth in this country. To the best of our ability we are aiming not just for good outcomes but a good experience too. 

Things to pray for:

Pray for a renewal of strength, compassion and purpose for all of us working within maternity services

Pray that God will dispel and dissipate the high levels of anxiety that exists within our communities and that the peace of God will rule and reign in the hearts of women going through pregnancies and raising children

Please pray, as the Bible asks us to, for those in government and leadership, so that the right decisions are made at the right time which affect our women and families and those that work in the service of our women and families.

Pray also for wisdom in how we connect with women and families that we have had difficulties connecting with to provide appropriate care, until now.