She was candid about the challenges ahead, telling me early on that reaching full term might not be possible but that we would strive to get as far as we could. She thoroughly educated me on the signs and symptoms to watch for and emphasized the importance of timely medical intervention.

At 34 weeks pregnant with my second son, Grayson, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. While I wasn’t entirely shocked, the reality of how frightening and severe the condition could be was overwhelming. Following Grayson’s birth, my MFM specialist encouraged me to channel my experiences into advocacy. I trained with MoMMAs Voices (Maternal Mortality & Morbidity Advocates), an organization dedicated to improving maternal health, and began my advocacy work. In May 2023, I had the honor of speaking at the National Institutes of Health, where I forged invaluable connections and shared my story to raise awareness.

My hope is to advance the equitable treatment of all women during pregnancy, particularly those dealing with complex conditions like preeclampsia. By advocating for better education, communication, and care, I aim to ensure that no woman feels as unprepared and unsupported as I once did.

What specific challenges do you believe Black women face in accessing adequate care for preeclampsia?

In my experience, the challenges that many Black women face include systemic racism, implicit biases, and a mistrust of the medical system due to historical and ongoing injustices.

The risk of dying from preeclampsia is significantly greater in Black women than White women. In fact, preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal death for Black women. Given this elevated risk, I believe that from the moment a Black woman starts trying to conceive or becomes pregnant the conversation about preeclampsia and its risks could begin, including discussing the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, and the importance of promptly recognizing these, as well as understanding ways to manage risk.

When these critical conversations are absent, it can lead to a lack of awareness and preparedness. From my own experience, I know that navigating the healthcare system can be incredibly challenging for Black women. Published reports have shown that many Black women feel their healthcare concerns are either overlooked or misunderstood, posing a real obstacle to accessing appropriate care for conditions like preeclampsia.

It’s unacceptable that, in today’s society, Black women still must worry about dying during childbirth due to inequities in maternal care access. This concern is a stark reality and a part of many Black women’s narratives, myself included. Ensuring that Black women receive equitable, respectful, and culturally competent care is essential to overcoming these challenges and improving maternal health outcomes.

Considering the distressing statistics around maternal mortality rates for Black women in the U.S., what role do you think community-led initiatives could play in addressing these disparities?

I believe community-led initiatives are crucial to address the disparities in maternal mortality rates for Black women in the U.S., as they could bridge the gap between patients and the healthcare system by fostering trust and ensuring culturally competent care. Based on my experience and advocacy work, I believe the initiatives that could make a significant impact include:

1. Workshops and education that provide vital information on recognizing signs of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications could empower women to better advocate for themselves.
2. Involving community voices in the development of care protocols could help healthcare providers better understand the unique needs and concerns of Black women, ensuring treatment plans are culturally tailored.
3. Emphasizing empathy and compassion could create a more supportive environment, alleviating fear and mistrust toward the healthcare system.
4. Engaging patients in their care processes could ensure their voices are heard and respected, facilitating better communication and patient-centered care.

I have been encouraged to see some institutions incorporating the patient voice into their practices, and I believe this approach could be adopted universally. By placing patients at the center of care, I believe we could begin to dismantle the systemic barriers that contribute to the high maternal mortality rates among Black women. Community-led initiatives are key to driving this change, providing a model for inclusive, equitable, and compassionate care.

Having welcomed your son Grayson after such intense personal heartache, how has this experience reinforced or reshaped your advocacy work?

Grayson’s birth ignited in me a profound sense of urgency and a deep need to work toward systemic change in maternal health care. Reflecting on the arduous journey to bring Grayson into the world, I am driven to ensure that future generations, including my son when he decides to expand his family, can do so as safely, inclusively, and respectfully as possible.

My personal experience has underscored the critical importance of addressing the systemic issues that contribute to often preventable deaths. Women should not have to fear for their lives while bringing new life into the world. This realization fuels my commitment to advocating for comprehensive education, empathetic care, and patient-centered policies.

By sharing my story and working toward systemic reform, I aim to help create a healthcare environment where every woman receives the care and respect she deserves, hopefully reducing the risk of tragic outcomes and ensuring a safer future for all families.

The views and opinions expressed by members of Comanche Biopharma’s Patient Advisory Board in the ‘Preeclampsia Champions of Change Q&A Series’ may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the company.