We wanted to round off the #fivexmoreaw20 awareness week with a series of asks and a list of what we want to see change. These statistics have been rising for decades and it’s completely unacceptable (THREAD)
What do we want: Close the gap. We want the NHS to commit to a target of bringing the numbers down with a CLEAR PLAN OF ACTION SPECIFIC FOR BLACK WOMEN
What do we want: For more health professionals to be aware of these statistics, disparities and injustices so they can give targeted care for Black women
What do we want: Stop using the word BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic). Say Black if you mean Black. Black women have the highest risk and have done so for decades now. Stop lumping anyone who is not white into the same group, it’s lazy.
What do we want: LISTEN to our voices and experiences and learn from them so you can administer better care for Black women
What do we want: For Health Professionals to check themselves for any implicit biases that may come into play when caring for Black women. Implicit bias is not intentional but it can still affect how you judge and treat others.
What do we want: The history of Black women in medicine AND the MBRRACE statistics to be taught to all health professionals working in maternity. Do you know where the Sims Speculum comes from? We suggest looking into the “father of modern gynaecology” J. Marion Sims
What do we want: Accept the role race and racism plays in these statistics. These disparities and the five fold difference can’t be down to biological factors alone
What do we want: To go beyond the statistics of mortality (deaths) to uncover morbidity and the lived experiences of Black women so we can gain a better understanding of what’s going on and what needs to change
What do we want: More diversity at higher levels and across the boards of those that make decisions. We need more Black people in prominent places to help further promote change
The Black maternity experience report is launching in 2 weeks. We know what the statistics are for Black women in maternity but there are real people behind the stats. Last year we launched a survey to collect the experiences of Black women. We had over 1300 responses back THREAD
No decisions about us, without us.
It’s been one of our campaign asks from the get go and one of the reasons why we launched the Black maternity experience survey last year. 2
We kept hearing researchers, various organisations and even the government say that they “can’t find Black women”to take part in their surveys and research and we were tired. 3
Tune in now and take the #fivexmoreselfie if you haven't already ⏬
@CatMcKinnell quotes our founder @MumsandTea:
"In 1991, when my mum gave birth to me, she was at greater risk of dying.
In 2020, that risk had increased and I was 5x more likely to die.
I'll be damned if my daughter is 25x more likely to die whenever she decides to give birth."
@HarrietHarman highlights the finding from a recent Select Committee report that 78% of Black women do not believe that their health is equally protected
by the NHS compared to white people #BlackMaternalHealthDebate
Black women are 4x more likely to die in pregnancy & childbirth.
Mixed heritage women are 3x more likely to die in pregnancy & childbirth.
Asian women are 2x more likely to die in pregnancy & childbirth.
UK maternity care is rife with unequal health outcomes.
We want decision makers to acknowledge the disparities between Black women and their white counterparts in their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth within the NHS and commit to closing these gaps #protectblackwomen
We are super excited to launch the UKs first ever Black women’s maternal health awareness week tomorrow. But before we engage in anything please see the rules, expectations, boundaries and what to expect from #fivexmoreaw20 THREAD
BOUNDARIES. Please be respectful of people’s lived experiences. Any negative or ignorant comments will be removed and you will be blocked immediately #fivexmoreaw20
TRIGGER WARNINGS. There will be talk of birth trauma and difficult birthing experiences throughout the week. Trigger warnings will be issued before each sensitive post so you can choose if you want to engage or not. #fivexmoreaw20
Parliament are currently holding an inquiry into the safety of maternity services in England!
We want to ensure the voices are of Black women are heard and will be submitting some evidence. To help us, please can you answer the next few questions! And share them too!
1. I was/have been given enough advice and guidance about my choices on:
a) Vaginal birth
1. I was/have been given enough advice and guidance about my choices on:
b) Home birth