Dr R. Clarke - The O(b)G(yn)

Dear Black women and people ,

You deserve better. You're 40% more likely to have a miscarriage than white women. You're 4-5 times more likely to die in pregnancy and in the first year after. You're more likely to have a premature baby. And those are just for starters.

You deserve a forcefield of positivity around you during pregnancy, not scary stats and unclear plans. You deserve not to be labelled as high risk without an explanation of what we're doing to reduce that risk. I want your pregnancy to be consumed with growing a baby and nurturing yourself. Not consumed by fear.

There are amazing compassionate people working within early pregnancy and maternity. But we can still be better. Research needs to be more inclusive, racial bias needs to be confronted and not minimised.

I am not an authority on miscarriage and I'd never want to pretend to speak for all Black women. Your stories are yours.

My pregnancy losses were devastating and relatively recent. I am incredibly lucky to now have a baby, but I will never forget the babies who aren't here.

My aim today was to advocate loudly for Black women. I really hope I did us proud. Sending so much love to anyone who is a member of this rubbish club.
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