Black Maternal Health Week spotlights disproportionate challenges faced during pregnancy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The racial disparities in maternal death rates are significant, with Black women suffering from the highest fatalities and complications. During Black Maternal Health Week, ABC is taking a closer look at the challenges faced by Black women who are expecting a child. One local mom and her doctor talked about what it takes to overcome obstacles. Six-month-old George the 5th is loud and active now, but when Kim Haley of Inglewood was pregnant with him, she heard news that deeply concerned her. “He’s not moving as much as we would like, and no mom wants to hear that,” she said. The high rates of black maternal mortality and stillbirths came rushing to her mind. “It’s always that concern of, am I gonna still be alive at the end of this? Am I going to be able to take my baby home with me?” Haley said. “We can’t refute that we African American women have a three to four times increased risk of maternal death,” said OB-GYN Dr. La Tanya Hines practices in West Los Angeles and the Crenshaw District. She adds Black women face conditions, such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes more often than...