In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, here are some important and scary statistics: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. In New York City, that number jumps to nine times more likely. New York State has one of the highest maternal death rates in the nation. And yet, New York State’s Department of Health reports that 78 percent of New York’s pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Why are the risks so high for black moms-to-be, especially in New York? Racial disparities play a huge role—and are heightened throughout the city. Saving Mothers’ work in underserved communities through the NYC mPOWHER program has provided them with effective ways to address:
- Health literacy
- Cultural tenets
- Bias of health providers
- Health care access for Black women
Empowering New York City’s Black Mothers
Hospitals and healthcare providers need to step up and take better care of New York’s black mothers; the most essential improvements will come from those efforts and changes. But community support and advocacy are a large part of the solution as well. That’s why Saving Mothers’ has created mPOWHER, an educational program to:
- Improve patient communication
- Identify at-risk patients
- Provide expecting mothers with valuable tools to self-advocate
mPOWHER helps NYC’s black moms and moms-to-be in two ways. One, mPOWHER’s Training Program trains Community Health Workers and others involved in maternal health to identify at-risk patients and better communicate with and advocate for these women. By building stronger, more trusted relationships between the mothers and their healthcare providers, mPOWHER ensures the women receive a higher level of care and protection.
The mPOWHER Mom’s Kit Program is the second way Saving Mothers is helping New York’s moms-to-be. Designed for women in their first trimester, the program gives out special diaper bags filled with health-empowerment tools and strategies, including:
- A blood pressure cuff to reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues.
- A Fitbit to help moms keep track of physical activity and nutrition needs.
- Sample scripts and conversation starters moms can use to challenge racism and sexism from doctors and others in healthcare. (For example, “Can you explain what this test is for? I want to be sure I understand.”)
- Newborn onesies from Nanit to help moms care for their babies
Last month, the Nanit team packed over 30 mPOWHER Mom’s Kits with Saving Mothers! These kits were distributed at NYPD Community Baby Showers in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
How You Can Help
- Donate to our fundraiser by purchasing an mPOWHER kit for a mom-to-be. Suggested donation per kit is $15. Spread the word and enlist your friends!
- You can shop! Nanit’s Pro Parent Shop is a curated selection of products chosen specifically to comfort, pamper, and give moms a much-needed break. Nanit has partnered with Saving Mothers to build a maternity ward in Kenya supported by Nanit technology to monitor Saving Mothers babies. Throughout the year, proceeds from our self-care parenting products will fund this effort.
Let’s work together to improve black maternal health and the health of mothers everywhere. Nanit is dedicated to this goal. Join us.
