Abstract
Racial disparities in maternal healthcare continue to be a significant issue, with Black women experiencing worse outcomes compared to White women. Despite improvements in healthcare, Black women are still 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and they face higher rates of preterm births, low birth weight, and insufficient prenatal care. This paper examines the experiences of three African American women from high socioeconomic backgrounds, focusing on where these negative experiences are most common throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. The study uses the Pregnancy and Maternity Care Patients' Experiences Questionnaire (PreMaPEQ) to explore different stages of care, including prenatal visits, labor and delivery, hospital stays, and follow-up care. The results highlight that even Black women with higher education and income are not immune to the discrimination and challenges that persist in the healthcare system. Although this study has a small sample size, the study emphasizes the need for further research with a more diverse group of participants. Ultimately, it calls for a healthcare system that is more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to address the ongoing disparities that Black mothers face.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Tiffany C. and Gietzen, Lindsay
(2024)
"Disparities in the Pregnancy Experience: A Multi-Case Analysis,"
Pacific Journal of Health: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 34.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/2576-215X.1089
Available at:
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pjh/vol7/iss1/34
Included in
Clinical and Medical Social Work Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Work Commons, Women's Health Commons
