Black women in Oklahoma are three times more likely to die from pregnancy and birth-related complications than white women. This week during the 10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week, the Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative celebrated the progress they’ve made in helping close that gap while reflecting on the work that remains.
The series of events culminates Friday night with a “Black Mommas Baby Shower” from 6-8 p.m. at Lacy Park at 2134 N. Madison Place.
During the week-long campaign, the alliance shed a spotlight on the surge in Black women enlisting doulas to support them during their birthing and post-partum journey.
“We work with women in our own communities. When they see us, they see people who look like them supporting them,” Natalie Peterson, a certified doula with the Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative, told The Eagle.
While doulas are not medical professionals, they are part of a holistic approach to maternal health care, providing emotional support through labor and delivery, lactation, infant feeding and more.
A major piece of the role is guiding women to advocate for themselves with medical staff through their birthing journey. Studies show women who enlist the help of a doula are more likely to report satisfaction with their birthing experience.
Ebony Jones said before ever becoming a certified doula she grappled with the realities of the disparities while supporting a friend at the hospital.
“When I was in the room they assumed that I was her doula,” Jones said. “I’ll never forget, I had to go to work and she was like ‘Ebony, please don’t leave me.’ She knew she would be treated differently because she did not have a support system there.”
Still, Jones said now that she’s certified it’s “an overwhelming honor” to serve her community in this way.
Beyond training doulas to serve in their communities, Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative maintains a directory and advocates in local hospitals for better care practices.
The organization works with all mothers but particularly targets those who identify as Black, Native, Latin, teen, justice-impacted or are recovering from substance abuse — groups they say tend to receive inconsistent care.
The initiative also hosts the Queens Village, a support group for Black women and mothers.
As for Friday’s baby shower, expectant mothers and people who recently gave birth are invited to register and attend. There will be free food, child care and other prizes.
