3. Blood pressure and blood sugar management
Since you’ll be eating better and working out, be sure to check your blood sugar. This can be supported with diet and exercise along with medication if prescribed by your health care provider.
4. Avoid toxic substances
And of course, things like drugs and alcohol must be completely eliminated in order to decrease the risk of infant mortality.
After Birth
There have been a number of initiatives to encourage Black women to breastfeed. Statistics have shown that women who breastfeed decrease their child’s chances of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Initiatives such as Black Breastfeeding Week and Instagram accounts like Blactavist are doing a lot to push the agenda of breastfeeding in the Black community.
Leigh Anne O’Connor, an international board certified lactation consultant, has been working with breastfeeding families for two decades. Her work in the Black community has revealed some very shocking news regarding Black women during pregnancy.
She says that a lot of Black women aren’t treated fairly in the hospitals because of their race. O’Connor believes that doctors don’t see Black women as empowered and capable, which leads them to offer things like cesarean sections right away (which isn’t standard protocol). C-sections in the Black community are higher than any other race. This method of childbirth makes breastfeeding even harder. The longtime advocate of breastfeeding believe that children who are breastfed are healthier and have decreased risk of illnesses, suck as asthma, leukemia, obesity, eczema and type 2 diabetes to name a few.
O’Connor also says that having a doula during pregnancy can also decrease the risk of infant mortality.
Breastfeeding Resources
Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association
Kimberly Seals Allers’ Mocha Manual