DURHAM, N.C. — The Supreme Court justices who wrote the dissenting opinion on Roe v. Wade cited experts who say abortion bans increase maternal mortality by 21%, with Black women at highest risk.
America’s Health Rankings looks at the healthiest states for women and children. Rhode Island is at the top of its list, with North Carolina being ranked 30th and Mississippi last.
What You Need To Know
Durham-based community organization is focused on reducing the maternal mortality rate among Black women
Maya Jackson of MAAME, Inc. wants to encourage women of color to use doulas during their pregnancy journey
Jackson says she expects an increase in demand for prenatal services because of abortion bans in nearby states
Maya Jackson is a community advocate, who is worried about the maternal health crisis facing Black women in a post-Roe world.
Jackson, who is pregnant with her fifth child, wants to empower Black women. She launched her community-led, maternal health and wellness organization three years ago.
“MAAME, Inc. was created out of not only my lived experience as a birthing person of color, but friends, family members, community members,” said Jackson, the founder and executive director of MAAME (Mobilizing African American Mothers through Empowerment). “Everyone had some type of traumatic birthing experience here in North Carolina.”
The CDC says Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
Jackson believes doulas play a critical role in reducing the maternal mortality rates among Black women.
“Having that additional support system that can provide you with evidence-based information, emotional support, physical support, along with your partner, or your family member being in the room, gives you that extra boost of confidence,” Jackson said. “That you can birth in a safe way, but also that you have someone to empower you to advocate for yourself.”
With Roe v. Wade being overturned, Jackson worries racial disparities within our health care system will get worse.
“Now we are coming up with more laws. And policies. And barriers. That are going to greatly impact people, and unfortunately, people of color, the working poor, these are the communities that are going to be hit the hardest because of these types of policies,” Jackson said. “Because they’re already dealing with an extreme lack of access and support.”
MAAME serves families across Durham and in the Triangle from conception to age 5. Jackson says she expects an increase in demand for prenatal services because of abortion bans in nearby states.
“We wanna make sure that as the influx of people are coming in, that we have resources, and the providers that work with us, that can be able to support these families,” she said. “I feel like the work we’re doing is going to change the landscape of how people think about reproductive and birth rights within our community, particularly for communities of color.”
The organization has helped 600 families throughout the Triangle area, aiding in 80 births since they launched. In addition to doula services, they also offer assistance for community members in finding baby formula and helping with mental health care needs after pregnancy.
Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect MAAME has assisted with 80 births since their launch.