Mount Sinai's Holistic Approach to Closing Racial Disparities in Maternal Health

Understanding Maternal Health Disparities

• 🎯 Black women are statistically three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women, according to the CDC.
• ⚠️ Disparities persist across income levels and can be attributed to systemic barriers in healthcare access, mistrust in the medical community, and higher rates of pre-existing conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
• 💡 These factors can lead to increased risks of preeclampsia, higher C-section rates, postpartum hemorrhage, stillbirth, and maternal death.

The Power of Holistic Maternal Care

• 🤝 A holistic care team, including an OBGYN, midwife, and doula, provides comprehensive support beyond physical health.
• 🧠 This approach addresses the emotional and mental health aspects of pregnancy, crucial for first-time mothers and those with family histories of difficult pregnancies.
• 💬 Having a supportive team is key to preparing for the challenges of childbirth and navigating the pregnancy journey.

Advocating for Self in Healthcare

• ✅ Find a provider you trust for open communication during intimate medical settings.
• ❓ Don't hesitate to ask questions repeatedly as understanding pregnancy is a learning process.
• 💡 Build a support network of women who have experienced childbirth to share knowledge and experiences.
• 🗣️ Be confident in raising personal health concerns that you feel are specific to your body.

Advancing Labor and Delivery at Mount Sinai

• 🔬 Mount Sinai's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science employs a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
• ⚡ Initiatives include projects to lower C-section rates and offer wireless fetal monitoring for greater patient mobility.
• 🏥 Options like outpatient induction with balloons reduce hospitalization time, and nitrous gas is available as an alternative pain management option.
• ⏱️ Advanced technology like Rotational Thrombolasy (ROM) can diagnose bleeding disorders in 10 minutes, enabling prompt, life-saving treatment.