Access to healthcare is essential, but access alone is not enough. In the face of a maternal healthcare crisis where Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, the need for quality care has never been more urgent. At Global Perinatal Services (GPS), the mission goes beyond simply opening doors. Quality care—care that is culturally competent, trauma-informed, and deeply compassionate—is at the core of the support provided to Black, immigrant, and refugee families. This approach is essential in tackling the maternal health disparities that are costing lives.
Maternal Health Disparities: A Crisis for Black Women
The statistics tell a devastating story. Black women in the United States face significantly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality due to systemic inequalities and racism within healthcare. Many experience a lack of understanding, and their pain often goes unheard. This is why quality care is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. At GPS, every mother receives care that respects her background, understands her challenges, and prioritizes her well-being.
Culturally Competent Care: More Than Just Healthcare
Quality care for Black, immigrant, and refugee families is about bridging the gap between medical needs and cultural values. GPS doulas and midwives are trusted allies, providing support that honors each mother’s traditions and beliefs. This culturally competent approach builds trust, empowers families, and enables each mother to navigate a healthcare system that may not always recognize her experiences.
For example, a Somali-speaking mother may feel anxious about discussing specific aspects of her birth plan. With GPS, she’s supported by a team fluent in her language and understanding of her culture. Here, she doesn’t just find care; she finds people who respect and advocate for her.
Addressing Bias in the Delivery Room
Black women’s concerns and pain have historically been minimized or dismissed in medical settings, with heartbreaking consequences. The women served at GPS deserve better. GPS doulas act as advocates, standing by each mother in delivery rooms and ensuring her voice is respected. Every doula is trained to recognize signs of bias and knows how to demand the highest quality of care for each mother.
In one recent instance, a mother’s concerns were initially overlooked by the medical team. However, her GPS doula intervened, ensuring her needs were addressed, which transformed a potentially traumatic experience into one where she felt seen and supported. Advocacy at this level is not optional; it’s essential.
Maternal Mental Health: A Crucial Component of Quality Care
The crisis in maternal health for Black women extends beyond physical care to mental health. Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, yet they’re far less likely to receive adequate treatment. GPS is changing this narrative by creating safe spaces for mental health discussions. Community cafes, support groups, and counseling services are available, each tailored to a mother’s specific cultural background, breaking down the silence surrounding maternal mental health.
From Equality to Equity: True Healthcare Justice
Healthcare justice means more than equal access. It means equity—providing every mother, especially those in marginalized communities, with the right care. GPS believes in a future where healthcare meets not only the physical but also the cultural, linguistic, and emotional needs of every family. This vision transcends access; it’s about ensuring every mother receives quality care that honors her story, supports her choices, and empowers her at every stage.
The work of Global Perinatal Services is about rewriting the story for Black women and marginalized families in a healthcare system that has too often failed them. In a world where health disparities are profound, GPS stands as a powerful advocate, dedicated to changing lives and ensuring every family receives the quality care they deserve.
Support Our Mission for Quality Maternal Care
The journey to healthcare equity requires the power of community. Stand with GPS in advocating for culturally responsive, quality care. Together, we can uplift the voices of Black, immigrant, and refugee families, ensuring that every mother receives the respect and support she deserves.
Spread awareness. Get involved. Together, let’s build a future where quality maternal care is a reality for all.