Resources for Black Birthing People

AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM

Resources for Birthing People

Tips for partners, friends, and family

Learn the urgent maternal warning signs

Listen to her concerns and encourage her to seek medical help.

If something doesn't feel right, she should contact her provider.

If she is experiencing an urgent maternal warning sign, she should get medical care right away.

Resources for health care professionals

Important Definitions and Data

  • Maternal Mortality

    The World Health Organization defines maternal mortality as the number of birthing people who die each year from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. This includes deaths up to 42 days after the end of a pregnancy, regardless of how long the pregnancy lasted or where it happened. (HMHB, 2022)

  • Maternal Morbidity

    Maternal morbidity is the number of times mothers experience serious health issues like ICU admission, a ruptured uterus, blood transfusions, or unplanned hysterectomies. Severe maternal morbidity refers to these unexpected complications during labor and delivery that lead to major short- or long-term health problems for the mother (HMHB 2022)

  • Black Birthing People

    Georgia has one of the highest maternal death rates in the U.S., with 33.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.

    The rate is even worse for Black birthing people. Between 2018 and 2020, 48.6 Black people died per 100,000 live births, compared to 22.7 white people per 100,000. (GA DPH)