Birth Experiences of Black Women and Impact of Mother's Perceptions, Control, and Responsive Care

Abstract

Maternal mortality in America, especially among African American women, has become an increasingly popular topic over the past few years. This project uses a phenomenological approach to analyze the birthing experiences of African American women. The personal narratives of African American mothers provide a unique perspective surrounding the American birthing crisis. They can play a crucial role alongside statistical analysis to provide a much-needed solution. Lack of control, feelings of disempowerment, and racial discrimination were common themes among the ten narratives analyzed. Employee racial competency training and diversifying healthcare teams could be a step in the right direction regarding the current maternal mortality crisis in America. However, further research with a larger sample size can provide additional insight into common themes in the birthing experience of African American women.