Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.
by Vincent “Boo” Nurse
The treatment by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) of black women when in labour and at childbirth has for many years been a subject which appeared to have been swept under the carpet. It was the elephant in the room.
However, statistics revealed over recent times have been used to bring the matter clearly into the minds of the general public and authorities within the health service.
The headlines that black women are five times more likely than white women to die in childbirth is so sensational, that a few days ago national TV Channel 4 aired a programme to highlight some of the atrocities that have been experienced by black women in the country. The viewing of this programme called for a strong constitution and the title “The Black Maternity Scandal” was appropriate.
The facts of the shabby and apparently uncaring treatment experienced by black women were laid bare before the audience and it begs explanation, understanding and belief that the NHS acknowledges that the problem exists, and yet have no target to indicate when it might end.
The programme sought the views of some of the women who were directly and adversely affected. To the innocent and uninformed viewer, it was not pleasant to watch.
The remarkable feature of the figures is that, on what should be a level field, the rate of death of women of colour, whether mixed race, Asian or black shows that the ethnic minorities are far more likely to die in childbirth than white women.
So, what does this tell us, is it a coincidence or is it a blatant failure of a system which somehow appears not to be built to properly support black women in the later stages of their pregnancies and in childbirth.
One mother said that the situation was very sad, and she felt that her life was not a priority. In short, the treatment she received gave her a sense of unworthiness.
The latest available information shows that for the period 2016-2018 there were 217 deaths of black babies at birth.
The causes of death at childbirth should not be listed in general terms but it would make an interesting study to find the reasons for the discrepancies.
The condition Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) was catalogued in 1926 and the first death as a result of this condition was thought to be in 1941. Eighty years on and black women are three times more likely to die from AFE than white women (AFE is a rare but severe complication of pregnancy.)
The stories of the harrowing experiences of black women painted pictures that would not be easily forgotten. It all seemed to suggest a lack of understanding by those in authority of the Black culture. This lack of understanding appears to have negatively impacted on the delivery of health care and protection for black women.
Much of the disconnect seems to have been started in the USA where it was felt that the pain threshold of a black woman at childbirth is much higher than that of a white woman.
But how in the twentieth century can theories which appear founded on voodooism define how a black woman should be treated when she is in the process of childbirth? One mother said her wishes were totally ignored and, simply, she had to comply with the instructions given by the midwife. She did not have a choice.
It appears that health care of black pregnant women, when compared to that given to white women, has not improved over the years. A leading professor (Knight) of Oxford University believes that there is a constellation of causes which can be attributed to the situation that has been allowed to develop.
She said the system is biased against women with grave social problems and as black women tend to fall into this category it follows therefore that there are affected proportionately more so than their white counterparts. Their plight therefore is highlighted and perhaps aggravated.
However, it has become clear to many that good and professional treatment of pregnant women is not dictated by the social standing of an individual but by the colour of their skin.
This matter continues to rumble and smolder, and groups are springing up with the aim to support all the black women who are not getting the care to which they are entitled.
One such organisation Five Times More has been very active and within one week has obtained 187,000 signatures to support their campaign. A debate on this subject is scheduled for Parliament and a spokesperson for the group said nothing but change would satisfy.
Figures have scarcely fallen in recent times and one wonders if the continuing deaths at childbirth with black women will force the NHS to move to an investigation that would point the way for a solution to be found to rid the society of this cancer.
The Channel 4 programme has been a bare-knuckle exercise in showing what many black women, have, until now, silently experienced.
They are coming together to reduce the chances of their daughters living the trauma that they (mothers) have lived. They are worthy of great and all-round public support. The NHS needs to explain how in a modern age one group of citizens is seen to be disadvantaged against another group when the protocols of treatment are thought to be the same for everyone.
Put simply, it does not wash and defies simple logic.
In an effort to present all sides to the debate Channel 4 said that an invitation to take part was issued to the government, however, it was declined.
One wonders why.
Vincent “Boo” Nurse is a Barbadian living in London who is a retired land Revenue Manager, Pensions and Investment Adviser. He is passionate about the development of his island home and disapora.
