By Mothers: Black Mothers leading the charge to Transform Maternal and Infant Health
Content Warning: Maternal mortality, Infant mortality
This blog post is an update on By Mothers; a consulting Peoples’ Research Council pilot project.
The By Mothers project is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses the maternal and infant health disparities within Forsyth County by centering the experiences and voices of Black mothers. Led by Action4Equity in partnership with Atrium Health, this project empowers Black mothers from the community as trained active researchers.
The research team gathered deep insights into the lived experiences, needs, and concerns of expecting and postpartum Black mothers through a community-based data collection approach, including surveys and focus group discussions. These insights are critical in understanding the systemic barriers that Black mothers face in receiving equitable and respectful care.
The urgency of this work is highlighted by statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationally, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In 2022, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the U.S. was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women. Similarly, the infant mortality rate for Black babies in 2022 was 10.86 deaths per 1,000 live births, over double that of white infants, who had a rate of 4.52 per 1,000 live births. These disparities are particularly pronounced in North Carolina, making the By Mothers project more crucial than ever.
One of the key events within this initiative is the Annual Mothers’ Tea, a celebration of Black motherhood where they share their research findings, foster community, and acknowledge the strength and resilience of Black mothers. This event is not just a gathering—it’s a testament to the power of Black women and a platform for amplifying their voices.
Sharlee Hainesworth, the Director of Community-Based Research and Family Engagement for Action4Equity, underscores the importance of this work in an interview with WXII: “We believe that no one knows better than Black women what Black women need or how Black women need to be listened to.” The By Mothers project embodies this belief by empowering Black mothers as researchers and advocates, ensuring that their experiences guide the push for systemic change.
The project also draws on the lived experiences of women like Shaadia Moore, who faced a terrifying moment during her delivery when a medical error nearly cost her and her baby their lives. “During my childbirth, I gasped for air because [the doctor] gave me a drug I was allergic to,” Moore recounts. “When my baby’s heart rate dropped, I spoke up for myself. His response was, ‘My apologies, I’m just used to dosing people that aren’t awake.’ So the work that we’re doing is valid.”
Through the By Mothers project, women like Moore are not just sharing their stories—they’re leading the charge to transform the healthcare system. This work is about more than improving outcomes; it’s about advocating for and supporting Black mothers through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. It’s about ensuring that every mother and baby has the right to live and thrive regardless of race.
As the By Mothers’ team finalizes their report and prepares to approach hospitals with their findings, the goal is clear: to change the way Black women are treated from the beginning to the end of their pregnancy and beyond. By identifying systemic barriers and advocating for policy and practice changes, By Mothers aims to create a future where every Black mother receives the respectful, equitable care she deserves. Every mother deserves to live, and through the By Mothers project, Black mothers are working to make that a reality in Forsyth County.