It's Black Maternal Health Week (April 11 to April 17), an initiative designed to help raise awareness about improving Black maternal health experiences and reducing the number of pregnancy-related deaths.
Lafayette native and Mamou resident Keisha Malbrew told KATC she would share her story.
Keisha, a mother of four, told me she lost her son back in August of 2016, just one day after giving birth.
"When I had got that phone call from them, they told me he had passed away," Keisha said. "It's like it was a shock to me."
Keisha said her son, Allen Christopher Malbrew, was premature and diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth.
Keisha also said she was not familiar with the genetic chromosome disorder at the time and doctors did not inform her about her baby's health, until he was born.
"He couldn't breathe," Keisha said. "They was trying to make him breathe on his own, but he couldn't. It was hard for him to breathe on his own."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
That's why Lafayette-native Angelica Rideaux said she was inspired to become a birth and postpartum doula and help other mothers.
Rideaux said she understands first-hand how traumatizing birthing experiences can be.
"I have also dealt with a lot of miscarriages," Rideaux said. "I would go to my doctor and explain to them how I'm feeling and it was often times, 'Oh, that's the normal stages of pregnancy, you might feel that way."
Rideaux said she experienced what it is like to be ignored by medical professionals, which prompted her to help uplift the voices of others.
According to the CDC, racial disparities exist, and hospitals and healthcare systems can play a critical role in identifying and addressing unconscious bias in healthcare.
Rideaux said she's passionate about Black maternal health, not just this week, but year-round.
"Black women face a lot more deaths before getting pregnant, during the prenatal period of being pregnant, during labor and after labor," Rideaux said. "They are not being heard."
If you're a new or expecting mother in Evangeline Parish and need resources, the New Life Pregnancy Center may be a good choice.
There's also a 24/7 hotline, (800) 712-HELP (4357).
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