Programs Meant To Save Black Mothers And Babies In California Struggle Against Old Bias

Gnae Dismuke faced the heartache of a miscarriage at 11 weeks in 2017 but later celebrated the arrival of three children, now aged six, four, and one month. Dismuke expresses optimism about initiatives advocating for safer childbirth outcomes for Black women. However, her insights, influenced by her varied birthing experiences—one at home and two in hospitals—reveal a complex view on medical practices. Residing in Los Angeles, she engaged with Black Infant Health alongside the Long Beach Public Health and Human Services Department, benefiting from visiting doulas and nurses during her last birth. “The nurse was able to move mountains quickly that I wasn’t able to move,” she shared. Alarmingly, statistics indicate that Black women in California face three to four times the risk of death from pregnancy-related issues compared to their White counterparts. Advocates push for midwifery services to help mitigate these disparities, while education and recognition of available resources for expectant mothers remain critical.