NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Black New Yorkers are turning to Black midwives and doulas for support during their pregnancies.
A study done by The Commonwealth Fund, an organization which promotes a more equitable health care system that achieves better access found that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among other developed countries. Black people make up just 13 percent of the population, but account for approximately 31 percent of pregnancy-related deaths.
In New York City, Black women are nine times more likely than their white counterparts to die during childbirth. The CDC has recently said up to 80 percent of maternal deaths are preventable.
Maternal health advocates are pushing the city to connect Black mothers-to-be with Black midwives and doulas for better pregnancy outcomes. They’re also rallying for more midwifery certification options and training programs.
On this week's episode of "1010 WINS In Depth," we hear from Bruce McIntyre, a Bronx resident whose girlfriend Amber Rose Isaac died during childbirth. He discusses the loss of Amber and why he’s fighting for systemic change within maternal health care.
Nubia Earth Martin and Kayleigh Zschusener, who are both midwives in New York, explain why they’re pushing for better home birthing options for Black women. Assembleymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn talks about how her own traumatic birthing experience led her to push for efforts to expand access to midwives and doulas in New York.