Key Findings from the Survey

A substantial portion of women surveyed reported encountering difficulties with healthcare professionals during their maternity care. Specifically, nearly half of those who raised concerns while giving birth felt their issues were not taken seriously or that they lacked sufficient support.

further compounding these concerns, 23% of respondents stated they were denied pain relief when requested, often without any description. Many described instances of being questioned, dismissed, or patronized even when experiencing severe discomfort.

The survey also highlighted a pervasive issue of discrimination, with 28% of participants reporting such experiences. Of this group, one in four believed their discrimination was rooted in their race.

Dr. Michelle Peter, one of the report’s authors, shared deeply concerning examples of overt racism encountered by women. She recounted one instance where a woman was told,”thank goodness you got that monkey out of you,” and another where a health visitor compared a woman’s care in the UK to potential care in Africa,seemingly to foster gratitude. Dr. Peter emphasized the urgent need to address these explicit instances of racism.

Context and Calls for Action

These findings align with previous data indicating that Black women face significantly higher risks during childbirth. They are up to four times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women and experience greater risks of serious complications and mental health challenges throughout and after pregnancy.

Five X more, the grassroots organization behind this research, is advocating for immediate interventions. Their proposed actions include mandatory cultural competence training for all healthcare professionals, the establishment of clearer accountability mechanisms within complaint systems, and improved data collection methods that accurately capture ethnicity and associated outcomes in maternity services.