Silent Struggles: Navigating Domestic Violence and Black Maternal Care

Black maternal health is a matter of life and death and for too many Black women, that journey is made even more perilous by the silent burden of domestic violence. In this deeply moving episode of Well, Since You Asked Me…, we explore the powerful reemergence of birth work and how doulas are on the front lines of care, advocacy, and protection for Black birthing people.

Our guests shine a light on the sacred, yet often invisible role doulas play in recognizing the quiet signs of abuse, building trust, and providing culturally competent care in moments of extreme vulnerability. We confront the systemic failures and cultural stigmas that keep Black women in the shadows unable to speak out, ask for help, or find safety within healthcare and justice systems that too often ignore their voices.

Why are Black women disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence? What makes seeking help even harder? And how can birth workers help bridge the gap between silence and support?

This conversation is both a reckoning and a call to action to listen more closely, to show up more intentionally, and to build systems that honor Black women’s lives, choices, and safety.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources for culturally competent support are included in this episode.

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