New Black mothers in Illinois are dying at alarming rates
New Black mothers in Illinois are dying at alarming rates
John Boehm
Lakieta Edwards in January launched Chicago Nurse Midwife, which provides well-woman exams, prenatal and postpartum care, and home birth services.
Even before certified nurse midwife Lakieta Edwards launched her own practice earlier this year, calls poured in during the pandemic from local pregnant women searching for support from a Black medical professional.
While some women are comforted knowing they’ll have family or friends in the delivery room to advocate for them, early pandemic visitor restrictions meant many would be giving birth alone.
Watch: ‘The Path Forward – Fearless Conversations About Race and Maternal Health Community groups collaborate to elevate voices in the Black community to build a more equitable and inclusive system.
Published April 29, 2021 •
Updated on April 29, 2021 at 2:33 pm
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
In this episode of The Path Forward, NBC 5 s LeeAnn Trotter talks with panelists about Black maternal health disparities and what is being done to create change.
According to Planned Parenthood, between 2011 and 2014, pregnancy-related mortality in the US was four times higher for Black women than white women. Planned Parenthood is working to elevate voices in the Black community to build a more equitable and inclusive system.
New Black mothers in Illinois are dying at alarming rates
A new report finds Black women in the state are nearly three times as likely as white women to die of a pregnancy-related condition. Meanwhile, several South Side hospitals have moved to shutter or cut maternity services in recent years.
John Boehm
Lakieta Edwards in January launched Chicago Nurse Midwife, which provides well-woman exams, prenatal and postpartum care, and home birth services.
Even before certified nurse midwife Lakieta Edwards launched her own practice earlier this year, calls poured in during the pandemic from local pregnant women searching for support from a Black medical professional.