Embarrassing and disturbing, LeConte’s experience is a sad and not so shocking incidence many black women as well as women of color experience while receiving medical treatments be it for neonatal, postpartum, or whichever. Racism during birth, who would have thought amongst the many posed disadvantages to blacks and other people of color, obstetric racism would be thing. In the beginning of the Article, I thought the story would have been of a particular person who had disrespected and inflicted pain to a patient, but to recognize that at least three medical staff had neglected and degraded LeConte is beyond horrifying. The situation of LeConte is one I hope would bring awareness to similar situations. In the birth mom’s situation, she had her husband, two doulas and even an OB-GYN team. My point is, imagine someone, for instance a single mom who does not have much connection nor the people and most importantly a woman of color, she would have a very terrible experience. LeConte had to endure disprespect and abuse, she spoke up when pain was been inflicted on her but that did not reduce the level of coercion she received. Worst of all, after having to endure the severe pain of getting injected with too much epidural and two days of induction, she had to walk herself with her newborn to the postpartum room. How disgraceful of professional worker who have licence and sworn in by the state. It is quite shocking to discover, also discovering it is as a result a lot if women lose their lives is very heart breaking. Nobody sincerely deserves to endure abuse of this sought. Glad this brought to light, although LeConte had mix of emotions through her experience, I cannot say the same for other hospitals. I remember about a year ago around this time, my sister gave birth to my beautiful niece. I could essentially proclaim my sister had quite the opposite experience compared to what the main character of this story went through. My sister was a month late and her hospital advised it best she settled in the hospital and have her baby induced. This was during a time when Covid rules were still mandatory. They treated my sister with immense care, she could barely feel pain when she was being injected, had several nurses who constantly came to her aid even when she did not need it. She always rode in stroller, before and after birth and even had to beg them to let her be for some time to exercise. I sincerely hope there’d be medical staff as good and professional as those who attended to my sister.
2 thoughts on “Discussion 12”
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Hi Salima
I would most definitely agree with you here, Combating systemic racism in healthcare systems begins with recognizing the various forms of racial discrimination and prejudice that exist within them. A critical first step is to recognize and comprehend how various forms of racial injustice affect patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare providers and what changes may be implemented to make healthcare more inclusive and equal.
Hi Salima,
I agree that it’s incredibly horrifying that LeConté was treated that way by multiple medical staff throughout her entire birth journey. It’s infuriating that what was meant to be a beautiful experience for her will always be surrounded by the discrimination she was met with. It is so terrifying that peoples lives are in the hands of these hateful so called professionals.