In honor of Black History Month, it’s time to celebrate some of the women working to improve the ongoing Black maternal health crisis in the US. ​​Reminder: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women — which is due to a variety of reasons, like lacking access to quality health care and being more likely to have chronic conditions that can complicate pregnancy and childbirth. National efforts are working to address the issue, but in the meantime, Black pregnant people need more support. That’s where Black doulas step in. 

We spoke to four about the importance of their work and the rich history of Black birth support. Here’s what they had to say…

Q: How do doulas help improve outcomes in maternal health?

Sabia Wade: Being able to have someone who is there for you in a system that is not always supportive of you is life-changing. Someone who understands your culture, where you’re from, what your fears are, your family dynamics, and you as a person. That improves the physical, mental, and emotional experience of a Black birthing person.

Christine Eley: If we’re educated and we know how our bodies work, we’re not just nodding ‘yes’ to any [intervention] that comes our way…women go into the birth room knowing what they should and should not do, what benefits their body, what does not.

Q: How do you situate your work in the rich tradition of Black birth support? 

Eve Akins (above): It’s really going back to when we were a village, when we were a community as a people. The midwives served in the community and knew all of the babies and the mothers and the families. It’s taking us back to our roots and trusting our bodies and birthing the way that we were designed to birth. It’s ancestral work.

Q: What would make the biggest difference going forward for Black maternal health?

Cheryl Neufville Etiang: You should have access to a birth worker that will be able to support you and understand you…without worrying about the price. There also needs to be more education on what doulas and midwives do, especially in the Black community. And that you can be safe birthing in various spaces. It doesn’t always have to be the hospital. I think if people knew what their options are, they would choose differently.

PS: To read more of our conversations, click here.