7 Sobering Facts About Childbirth Among Black Women That Everyone Should Know

The stats are alarming, but March of Dimes is fighting to ensure a healthier, more hopeful future for all mothers and babies.

1. Preterm birth and its complications have become a major focal point for pregnant women, especially in the black community. Preterm birth and low birthweight are the leading causes of infant mortality among black infants.

FYI: Preterm birth refers to a birth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. An early birth can lead to longstanding health issues, complications, and conditions that might develop in a person's life, not just infant mortality.

2. The current reality is that women of color are up to 50% more likely to give birth prematurely compared to white women.

In the US, about one in every ten babies born is born prematurely, but among black women, that statistic becomes one in eight babies. Ways to decrease this risk include maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and if a woman has experienced a previous preterm birth or has a short cervix, talking to a health care provider about options like progesterone treatments or shots.

3. While more than 20% of premature babies are born to black women today, researchers, scientists, and health experts are collaborating to change that.

Experts are looking at factors like income, education level, and access to health care (called social determinants), while also factoring in things like geography and poverty level, to uncover how they affect risk and preterm birth.

4. There’s no one cause of premature birth. There are many factors at play here, but experts are discovering the causes that translate into real-world solutions.

Through a network of seven March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers across the world, there are groundbreaking studies with real-world data that can be utilized. The lifesaving preventions and treatments that come from that research have the potential to empower all moms and babies.

5. Pregnancy-related death has more than doubled over the past 25 years, and black women in the US have death rates over three times higher than all other women; this has to change.

Black women are getting to their providers for prenatal care later (in their third trimester) and less often than other women, and some are receiving no prenatal care at all. Encouraging women to attend medical appointments, even before pregnancy, and educating pregnant women about the importance of meeting regularly with health care providers can empower moms with knowledge and information for healthier families.

Accessing proper prenatal care also helps ensure that women are learning about interventions that can reduce the risk of preterm birth, such as birth spacing (waiting at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again).

6. It takes more than nine months to make sure a pregnant woman is healthy, in turn, ensuring her baby can be as strong as possible.

As soon as a woman is considering getting pregnant, it’s best to seek provider help to determine a healthy weight, get on track with nutrition, and test for any potential problems that can be found in screenings and family history.

7. Nearly 4 million babies are born each year. Researchers, scientists, and advocates are hard at work to ensure that every one of them has the best possible start.

From preconception to post-delivery, it takes a village. But finding and leaning on a supportive network of providers, family, friends, and health experts can support that journey. Even if everything doesn’t go according to plan, these networks and access to answers can help when needed.

All facts from March of Dimes.

All images via iStock / Getty Images.

March of Dimes is leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies and empowering families with the knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies. Learn more at MarchofDimes.org.