Disparities in Maternal Care Highlighted by Recent Cases

Across nearly 1,000 miles, two pregnant Black women were preparing to welcome their babies just in time for the holiday season. However, their health—and that of their unborn children—was jeopardized due to a lack of immediate care from hospital staff.

In one case, a woman gave birth on the side of a highway in Indiana after being discharged from the hospital, while another nearly delivered in a Texas emergency room. Both women survived the experiences that gained national attention after being shared on social media.

These incidents underline ongoing disparities in health outcomes for Black women, who are reportedly 3.5 times more likely to face death before and after childbirth compared to white women, according to a CDC report.

The report highlighted that while maternal mortality rates for white, Hispanic, and Asian women dropped in 2023, those for Black women showed little change. Families, health organizations, and civil rights advocates are now urging medical professionals to confront systemic racism that shapes the experiences of Black women in healthcare.

Feeling Abandoned in the System

In Indiana, at Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital, Mercedes Wells felt neglected when nurses didn’t take her labor seriously. By the time a nurse came to check on her, her water had already broken.

Wells, already a mother of three, sensed her baby was imminent. “She seemed to believe I could just leave,” she recalled, emotionally. “I was in so much pain… I begged them not to let me go.” That pain was visible in a video recording that has now gone viral, showing her distress as she was escorted toward the exit.

Her husband, Leon, quickly took her toward another hospital, but they had to stop on a highway, where their daughter was born. Mercedes noted that all the nurses she encountered were white and seemed to dismiss her concerns. “I felt ignored—like it was normal to send someone home in that much pain,” she said.

In response to the incident, Franciscan Health announced the firing of the involved staff and mandated cultural competency training for its team. The hospital’s president expressed that such a situation should never happen again.

Just days prior, Kiara Jones faced similar circumstances at a hospital in Texas. While in labor, she was left in the triage area for over half an hour despite her visible distress. “Do you treat all patients this way or just Black patients?” her mother questioned a hospital staff member in a video. Shortly after being moved to a delivery room, Jones gave birth.

Her attorneys expressed serious concerns over the hospital’s treatment of Jones, given the apparent indifference during her labor. The hospital is currently reviewing the incident.

Ongoing Challenges Post-Childbirth

Postpartum complications remain an area of significant concern for Black women. Issues like excessive bleeding and infection can pose severe risks, and advocates warn that often, complaints of pain may not be taken seriously, creating potentially fatal outcomes.

A week after her delivery, Wells returned to the hospital feeling short of breath. Doctors suggested her discomfort might stem from her car delivery position. “I think it was just a setback,” she reflected, recalling the intense pain she experienced.

Jones, on the other hand, encountered several medical challenges following her birth, including her newborn experiencing stress due to delays in care.

Research from SisterSong, a reproductive justice organization, found that many Black women report feeling singled out in medical settings, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. “The stories are all too similar,” said the group’s executive director, emphasizing a lack of trust and empathy in care for Black women.

A Call for Change

Wells shared her shaken trust in the healthcare system and vowed to approach any hospital visits with caution. “We’re documenting everything,” she said, reflecting the anxiety that many may feel about potential bias.

The National Black Nurses Association noted that biases can lead to poor responses in emergency care for Black patients. Dr. Sheldon D. Fields, the association’s president, called for transformative action in maternal care, emphasizing that every woman deserves respectful and timely treatment.

For the Wellses, it ultimately boils down to a fundamental need for empathy in healthcare. “If you’re in this field, you should care for those who need you,” said Leon Wells, articulating a sentiment resonating with many who feel unheard.