More Than Statistics: The Emotional Toll of the Maternal Health Crisis on Black Mothers

Giving birth as a Black mother in the United States in 2025 can be terrifying.

We are living through a Black maternal health crisis, often confronted with headlines of medical neglect, traumatic births, and preventable maternal deaths.

This week was Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17), created by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to raise awareness, advocate for change, and amplify the voices and experiences of Black birthing people.

The numbers are bleak for Black women, and behind every number is a real person, story, and lived experience that includes fear, grief, and trauma.

This isn’t just a medical emergency–It’s an emotional one. It’s time to name the part of the story that too often goes untold: the mental and emotional toll of navigating this crisis.

The Numbers Don’t Tell The Whole Story

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Compared to their peers, Black women are less likely to receive adequate prenatal care, contributing to higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased maternal and infant mortality.

These disparities are not rooted in biology—they are the result of systemic racism, bias, and neglect. Too often, Black women are dehumanized and dismissed at a time when they are most vulnerable.

There is emotional labor that comes with preparing to give birth in a system that doesn’t always protect us. Many Black mothers carry fear and anxiety into the delivery room—fear that our voices won’t be heard, our pain won’t be believed, and our needs won’t be met.

These fears are not imagined–they are valid.  Black mothers deserve to give birth in safe spaces where they feel seen, respected, and cared for.

The Hidden Wounds: Mental and Emotional Effects

Navigating pregnancy and birth in an inequitable healthcare system can have lasting emotional impacts, including:

• Hypervigilance and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum

• Grief or trauma from birth experiences that felt unsafe or dismissive

• Postpartum depression, rage, or sadness that is often overlooked or minimized

• Isolation or fear of being misunderstood, especially by healthcare providers

These mental health struggles can affect not only the mother, but the baby and the entire family system. Studies show that rates of postpartum depression in mothers of color are nearly double those of white mothers, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are one of the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

Even when births appear "successful" on paper, many mothers are left carrying an emotional burden that goes unacknowledged.

How Therapy Can Help

We must be intentional about our care and advocate for ourselves whenever possible. Midwifery care, doulas, and holistic providers can be transformative, but aren’t accessible to everyone. Still, it is possible to find competent, affirming care wherever you give birth—whether at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital.

Feeling heard, validated, and cared for by our providers is not a luxury—it’s a baseline requirement.

A perinatal therapist can become one of the most important parts of your support system. In therapy, you can identify and learn to navigate mental health challenges that arise during the perinatal period—challenges often worsened by the maternal health crisis itself.

Therapy can provide:

• A safe, culturally affirming space to process your birth experience

• Tools to manage anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm

• Support for healing from medical trauma or feeling unheard

• Guidance in reconnecting with your sense of strength, joy, and identity as a mother
  

Reclaiming Joy in Birth and Motherhood

Yes, Black mothers are strong and resilient. But being strong shouldn’t mean going without support. You don’t have to be just another statistic. You deserve compassionate, culturally aware care.

My hope for our community is that we can begin to experience birth without fear and reclaim the empowerment and joy that giving birth and parenting should bring.

Your story matters. It deserves to be heard and honored with compassion.

In my practice, I specialize in supporting new and expectant mothers with an understanding of the unique challenges Black women face. If you’re preparing for birth, navigating anxiety or fear, or needing space to process your birth story, I’m here to support you. Reach out to schedule a consultation.