Black Pregnant Women “Get the Most Judgment”: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Black Women at the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Pregnancy
Abstract
Background
Pronounced racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes persist in the United States. Using an ecosocial and intersectionality framework and biopsychosocial model of health, we aimed to understand Black pregnant women's experiences of gendered racism during pregnancy.
Methods
We conducted semistructured interviews with 24 Black pregnant women in New Haven, Connecticut. We asked women about their experience of being pregnant, experiences of gendered racism, and concerns related to pregnancy and parenting Black children. Transcripts were coded by three trained analysts using grounded theory techniques.
Results
Women experienced gendered racism during pregnancy—racialized pregnancy stigma—in the form of stereotypes stigmatizing Black motherhood that devalued Black pregnancies. Women reported encountering assumptions that they had low incomes, were single, and had multiple children, regardless of socioeconomic status, marital status, or parity. Women encountered racialized pregnancy stigma in everyday, health care, social services, and housing-related contexts, making it difficult to complete tasks without scrutiny. For many, racialized pregnancy stigma was a source of stress. To counteract these stereotypes, women used a variety of coping responses, including positive self-definition.
Conclusions
Racialized pregnancy stigma may contribute to poorer maternal and infant outcomes by way of reduced access to quality health care; impediments to services, resources, and social support; and poorer psychological health. Interventions to address racialized pregnancy stigma and its adverse consequences include anti-bias training for health careand social service providers; screening for racialized pregnancy stigma and providing evidence-based coping strategies; creating pregnancy support groups; and developing a broader societal discourse that values Black women and their pregnancies.
Publication Status
Published
ISSN
1049-3867
Category Tags
Family and Early Childhood; Gender, Sexuality, Sexual Health; Healthcare; Racial Justice and Racism
Recommended Citation
Mehra, Renee PhD; Boyd, Lisa M. PhD; Magriples, Urania MD; Kershaw, Trace S. PhD; Ickovics, Jeannette R. PhD; and Keene, Danya E. PhD, "Black Pregnant Women “Get the Most Judgment”: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Black Women at the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Pregnancy" (2020). Academic Articles. 30.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/nhperl_articles/30