Black Maternal Health Starts Before Pregnancy: Why Early Awareness Matters
Improving maternal health for Black women begins long before they conceive. For many women, certain health risks are present early in life, and addressing them requires consistent attention, access and support.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications and more than twice as likely to experience life-threatening maternal health issues. It’s a troubling statistic, but what’s driving it?
These outcomes are influenced by a range of factors, including existing health conditions, challenges getting the right care at the right time and differences in how Black women are supported throughout their health journey.
“While we can’t eliminate every risk, we can give every woman the tools and support to recognize when something isn’t right, to trust what their body is telling them and to speak up,” said Esohe Faith Ohuoba, MD, an OB/GYN and specialty Medical Director affiliated with Memorial Hermann, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in Southeast Texas. “It’s about helping women feel informed, confident and heard at every step.”
That’s why preventive attention to conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, which can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and are common across many communities, is so important.
As Dr. Ohuoba noted, maternal care starts well before the delivery room. Memorial Hermann is putting that into practice by supporting women earlier through preventive care and community outreach. As of mid-2023, Memorial Hermann’s women’s health and maternity team cared for more pregnant women in Houston than any other health system. This reflects the system’s reach and commitment to connecting women with essential care.
“While we can’t eliminate every risk, we can give every woman the tools and support to recognize when something isn’t right, to trust what their body is telling them and to speak up.”
– Dr. Esohe Ohuoba, MD
One example is the Doula Assistance Program, which offers no-cost support to qualifying expectant mothers, particularly those facing higher health risks or limited access to care. Doulas provide steady, personal support throughout pregnancy, helping women feel more confident and connected every step of the way.
Another way Memorial Hermann is reaching women earlier is through a recent partnership with March of Dimes. Together, they’ve launched a mobile health unit that travels into Houston-area communities to deliver maternal care directly to patients. Staffed by a nurse practitioner, the unit provides preventive checkups, education and support, even for women who may not have access to traditional care. It’s a powerful example of meeting women where they are and preparing them for pregnancy in a way that reduces barriers and builds trust.
Still, despite these efforts, maternal health challenges continue to rise—often due to a combination of medical, social and systemic factors.
So why are maternal health challenges for Black women still increasing?
Several overlapping issues continue to drive disparities in outcomes:
Rising maternal age
Higher rates of preexisting conditions like diabetes or hypertension
Increases in prepregnancy obesity
Delayed care-seeking, often due to lack of awareness, transportation or cost
Pressure to conceal pregnancy, particularly in younger women
Gaps in access to care, especially in under-resourced communities
Implicit bias in health care settings
Overcoming these issues and improving maternal health is a shared responsibility. It requires strong clinical practices, open communication between women and their providers and support from the wider community.
“Black women are often the foundation of their families, and supporting them means supporting entire communities,” Dr. Ohuoba said. “When we take the time to listen and truly show up, we build trust. That’s how we begin to change maternal health outcomes for the better.”
