Ke'Aira's journey through maternal care has been filled with ups and downs, but ultimately, it has been a story of resilience and support. Growing up with a history of Crohn's disease, she was aware of the potential for her baby to be born at a low birth weight or prematurely. With this in mind, she chose to deliver her baby at the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, knowing that they are equipped to care for high-risk pregnancies and have an on-site level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to care for her newborn, should the need arise.
Quality BirthCare Services at Miller Children's & Women's Hospital
The BirthCare Center at Miller Children's offers comprehensive programs for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of newborns with a range of preventive services, education, and advanced capabilities. With maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists on-site 24/7, the care team is equipped to handle routine to high-risk pregnancies. If a delivery isn’t routine, the baby is moved just down the hall to the NICU to receive specialized care.
“During the labor and delivery of my second baby, Cruz, it was comforting to have nurses encouraging me every step of the way,” said Ke'Aira. “Though Cruz didn't need NICU care, knowing the nurses and doctors constantly checked on us made me feel secure. The care I received throughout my pregnancy was a great improvement from my first delivery at another local hospital. With my first delivery, I felt like just another number – rushed, overlooked, and dismissed. As a Black woman, the statistics on maternal mortality made pregnancy even scarier. Fortunately, I never felt the need to advocate for myself – I always felt heard by my care team at Miller Children’s.”
One specific example of how the care team made Ke'Aira feel seen was when she expressed her desire to keep her placenta. The care team listened to her request and ensured that it was honored. On the day of her delivery, they followed proper protocols to preserve the placenta and handed it to her as she had asked. This thoughtful gesture made Ke’Aira feel valued and respected, showing that the care team truly listened to and acknowledged her wishes. Additionally, Rev. Candace Kelly, a board-certified chaplain and bereavement coordinator at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, provided education on the various services and resources, such as breastfeeding support available throughout hospitalization and after discharge.
Ke'Aira's First Moments with Her Son Cruz, Weighing 7 Pounds 8 Ounces
“When the nurse told me Cruz weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, I nearly cried,” said Ke'Aira. “After everything I’d worried about, especially him being premature, hearing that number was such a relief. It meant he was strong, he was healthy, and we were both going to be okay.”
Since Cruz’s birth, Ke'Aira has been doing great during her postpartum journey. Having learned from her first pregnancy, she understood the importance of self-care and self-love, which has helped her address any signs of postpartum depression.
“Since we’ve been home, Cruz has been wonderful and just as curious as ever about the world around him,” said Ke'Aira. “My family is absolutely in love with baby Cruz. We’re all just happy to experience his existence. But as a young mom, it is still easy to feel overwhelmed and even judged sometimes. I was truly lucky and blessed to have had the kindness and exceptional care from Miller Children’s & Women’s – they answered every question and put all my worries at ease.”
Black Maternal Health’s Troubling Stats
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Similarly, Hispanic and Native American women face significantly higher maternal mortality rates compared to their white counterparts. These disparities persist across socioeconomic lines, with minority women from all income levels experiencing higher rates of maternal death.
Several factors contribute to the disproportionate impact of maternal mortality in minority communities. Structural racism and implicit bias within the healthcare system can result in inadequate prenatal care, delayed diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-related complications, and disparities in access to maternal healthcare services. One key challenge in addressing the crisis is dismantling systematic barriers to quality maternal health care.
“At Miller Children’s & Women’s, we acknowledge the ongoing work needed in minority health and have made this a priority for us,” said Rev. Candace Kelly, board-certified chaplain and bereavement coordinator, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Nobody should be denied basic health care and standard health care due to race or ethnicity. That’s why we are initiating efforts to become the change, recognizing that much work is still ahead.”
What Miller Children’s & Women’s is Doing About Birth Equity
At the BirthCare Center, the healthcare providers and care team undergo cultural competency training to better understand the unique needs and experiences of minority patients. Further, Miller Children’s & Women’s has partnered with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative – representing one out of the five hospitals selected that have the biggest demographics of racial and ethnic minority populations – to discuss birth inequities, educate staff, share data results, and work to build a Hospital Action Guide for hospitals nationwide to be empowered to do this important work.
Since initiating this focus, Miller Children’s & Women’s has seen nearly a 10% increase in Black moms sharing that they always feel treated with courtesy and respect. These patient measures improve the relationship between the patients and care providers to ensure their voices are heard, and their wishes for their birth experience are honored. Evidence shows that this improvement will help close the disparity gap in birth outcomes for Black women and their newborns.
Currently, Miller Children’s & Women’s is continuing to work on implementing all recommendations from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)’s respectful maternal care framework and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
It is crucial to address the systemic disparities affecting minority communities' maternal health outcomes. Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital is dedicated to championing change and advancing equitable healthcare practices for all birthing individuals. Through cultural competency training, partnerships with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, and initiatives like the Respectful Maternal Care Champions, the care teams ensure every patient receives dignified, respectful, and equitable care. By prioritizing the voices and experiences of Black and Brown patients and implementing AWHONN evidence-based guidelines, the care teams strive to close the disparity gap and create safer, more inclusive birthing experiences.
“I want other Black moms to know that they deserve to feel safe and respected — and that care like this is possible,” said Ke'Aira. “Cruz is thriving, and so am I. That’s what every mom should experience.”
Ke'Aira’s journey highlights the importance of compassionate and comprehensive maternal care. Her positive experience at Miller Children’s & Women’s, coupled with the support she received during her post-partum journey, underscores the critical role that healthcare providers play in ensuring the well-being of both mother and child. As Ke’Aira continues to navigate motherhood, her story serves as a testament to the impact of quality care and the strength of a supportive community. It is essential for all healthcare institutions to strive for the same level of excellence and empathy, ensuring that every mother feels heard, respected, and cared for.