Black Moms Deserve to Survive: The Truth About Maternal Mortality in America

Why are Black women still three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes in the U.S.?
In this powerful episode of BACKtalk, host Janice Robinson-Celeste speaks with OB-GYN and advocate Dr. Faith Ahuba during Black Maternal Health Week. They discuss systemic racism in healthcare, personal stories of survival, implicit bias, and what real advocacy looks like for moms, dads, and communities.

🎧 Dr. Ahuba shares her own postpartum experience, the role of doulas, and how faith and mindset can help us heal. This is more than a conversation—it's a wake-up call.

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⏱️ Episode Timestamps – Black Maternal Health Awareness Week

00:00 – Intro and launch of Black Maternal Health Awareness Week
01:00 – Why Black maternal mortality is a crisis
03:00 – Guest intro: Dr. Asoha Faith Ahuba shares her background
05:00 – Icebreaker: What most people don’t know about Dr. Faith
07:00 – Why Black women are still dying at higher rates in 2025
10:00 – Root causes: systemic racism, empathy, and provider education
13:00 – Patient self-advocacy and the CDC’s ‘Hear Her’ initiative
16:00 – Janice shares her personal story of being mistreated during labor
20:00 – What providers can do differently and why implicit bias training matters
24:00 – Fear of retaliation: Why some Black patients stay silent
27:00 – How to strategically escalate complaints during birth care
30:00 – Why advocacy should be taught in birthing classes
33:00 – Should you find a Black OB-GYN or just an empathetic one?
36:00 – Preconception health and planning for safer pregnancies
39:00 – Dr. Faith’s message to scared Black moms: Faith over fear
42:00 – How generational trauma shows up during pregnancy
45:00 – Dr. Faith’s book Peace Rx and the role of faith in healing
48:00 – What policies would Dr. Faith implement if she had the power
51:00 – Should hospitals publish maternal mortality data?
53:00 – How to advocate effectively and where to find Dr. Faith’s work
55:00 – Closing thoughts and thanks from Janice Robinson-Celeste

#BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BACKtalk #BlackMomsMatter