Honesty and Education to End Maternal & Infant Mortality

I recently read a story about a young Nubian sister who died giving birth at 32 weeks pregnant. The story says she may have gone into spontaneous labor and the baby was still born and apparently she bled to death. There wasn't much to read, which led to a flood of questions.
Read the Story Here

What made this young lady feel like she couldn't let anyone know she was pregnant? If she was noticeably pregnant, why didn't anyone assist her? When she went in to labor, why didn't she call out for help? What made her feel the way she did to go at this all alone?

First and foremost, I want to say to my Nubian sisters, it doesn't matter what AGE you are, bringing another being into this world is a BLESSING and humbling experience for any woman. You should not feel ashamed or afraid of what others will say. The only thing they should be saying is congratulations, giving words of encouragement.

It is TIME for us as woman to stop looking down on each other when women who are not married, young, or whatever her situation, comes into motherhood.

She is intelligent, strong, beautiful no mater what!

YES, it is best for a young lady to wait until SHE AND HER PARENTS have properly chosen a mate for her, have a courting period where both families get to know the other, have a ceremony of union and then start a family.

 

We know this is not always the case.

But however a child is brought into this world, should always be a time of celebration, growth and support for the new mother and her family.

There was no reason this young lady and her baby should not be among us today.

Let's us educate ourselves and our young ladies on the importance of knowing our bodies, the process of birth and motherhood, to put an end to senseless tragedies such as this, using evidence based information, so we can make sound right decisions using right knowledge.

This passing of mother and child most definitely could have been prevented had she simply asked for help or someone come to her aid before the event took place.

I am making the pledge to study, research, and apply what I have learned so the women I encounter will know how our bodies function, the process of birth to motherhood, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and more.

What will you do to ensure these events don't happen to the next young lady within our community?

Saving Our Future

The Real Danger in Black Communities

Maternal Marital Risk

Black Infant Mortality

Colorlines