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Mark-Robert Mahaga-Ajala , DO , obstetrician and gynecologist , Atlantic Health System
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Despite medicaladvances acrossawiderange of diseases andconditions , therateofcomplications duringand after pregnancy remains high inthe United States . Accordingtothe Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), hundreds of women die each year from pregnancy-related complications . Anestimated 80 % of complications arepreventable . Even morealarmingisthatblack women arethreetimesmorelikely to dieduringpregnancy than whitewomen . “ It ’ sanuncomfortable realityfor many people andasignthatwehave amuch bigger problem when it comes to blackmaternalcare ,” saysMark- RobertMahaga-Ajala , DO , obstetrician andgynecologistatAtlantic Health System .“ Anytimewehave health issuesthat affectalarge numberofwomen , the outcomes for black womenare typicallyworse .”
Removing barriers to care
Thehighrateofcomplications forblack women during pregnancy , childbirth and in the year after having a baby are the result of a constellation of factors , accordingtoDr . Mahaga-Ajala . Themostconcerning issue is racial bias inhealth care . Some providers may not have much experience caring for black women . Thiscan causemisunderstandings when it comes to a patient ’ s personal , culturalorracialpreferences .
“ Inmanyinstances , blackwomen don ’ t have thesameaccesstoqualityhealthcareaswhite women ,” says Dr . Mahaga-Ajala . “ There are socialfactors at play and many blackwomen struggle to get the prenatalcarethey needto ensurea healthypregnancy .”
Becauseofbarriers to health care , black women oftenhavehigher rates ofhighblood pressure , preeclampsia
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and excessive bleeding aftergivingbirth . Dr . Mahaga-Ajala says timely prenatal careto address medicalconcernsearly is key to lowering therateoflife-threatening complications .
Building trust
Findingaphysician wholistens to your concerns , answers your questions and makes yourhealth a priority is crucial , accordingtoDr . Mahaga-Ajala . In addition to workingwithalicensed obstetrician , many women choose to have adoula duringtheir prenataland postpartum journey . Becausedoulas oftenactasacoach andadvocate , Dr . Mahaga-Ajalasaysmanyblack womenarechoosingto have them participateintheir pregnancycare .
“ Evidence-based treatmentis always theright answer when it comestopatient care ,” says Dr . Mahaga-Ajala . “ Patientsshouldnever beafraid toaskquestionsabout their care plans , conditionsor treatments . Understanding your health care is not aluxury , it ’ sanecessity .”
Inaddition tomanagingmedical conditions such as diabetes or high bloodpressure , Dr . Mahaga-Ajala encourages hispatientstocreatea
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birthplan . He believesthat spendingtime withyourprovider to discuss your hopes can ensure that everyone is on thesamepagefor thebig day . Workingthrough your ideasfor labor and deliverycanhelp reduceanxietyand increasepositive anticipation , aswell asprovide informationabout what is safe and possible inthedeliveryroom .
“ Havingafrank and early conversation about what you want your childbirth experience to be like is an importantpartofbuilding trust with your provider ,” says Dr . Mahaga-Ajala . “ As long as you hold yourplan loosely and can letgo of things if your situationchanges , it allows ustowork together during this watershedmomentinyourlife .”
Dr . Mahaga-Ajalaaddsthat understanding your health care needs , yourtreatmentplanand advocating foryourselfwill give both motherand baby thebestexperience andoutcome .
“ Every womandeserves to have hervoice heard ,” saysDr . Mahaga- Ajala . “ Havinganadvocateavailable , whether it ’ s your OB or adoula , who hasexpertise that matches yourbeliefsand expectationscan make ahugedifference .”
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM |