Improving Indiana’s Black mortality rate one delivery at a time

Nigel Franklin and Rae Brewer remember the day their daughter, Mileena was born. The day is still fresh in their minds since it only happened four months ago. “I was shocked because it’s like when she finally came out of me, they put her on my chest. I was like, ‘She’s mine.’ That was literally my first words. She’s mine,” said Brewer. “I was like I’m a father now and it’s the biggest thing. I was super happy and I cried. Of course, especially when they put her on the table, making sure she was all good, she kept holding my pinky and I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ She still to this day, holds my pinky,” said Franklin. RELATED: EmpowerHER: Tackling Black maternal health disparities in Indianapolis Before they made it to delivery day inside Riley Children’s Health, they were referred to the hospital’s BIPOC Doula Program, which works to decrease maternal mortality rates. Indiana’s maternal mortality rates Indiana currently has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States. The risk of death related to pregnancy is higher for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) patients. Riley’s program is adding another layer of support for...