Beyoncé’s most recent albums, “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter,” are dominating the charts, and many are praising them for honoring the diverse tapestry and history of Black music.
However, following Black Maternal Health Week in April, my thoughts turn to a different chapter in Beyoncé’s life — the birth of her twins, Sir and Rumi. In 2018, headlines swirled as Beyoncé disclosed a challenging pregnancy, both experiencing preeclampsia and being confined to bedrest due to complications. The question lingered: If someone as successful and well-established as Queen Béy can face severe health scares, what does it mean for the rest of us?
For Black mothers, the journey to motherhood is fraught with barriers and institutional neglect. From prenatal to postpartum, Black women are met with skepticism, dismissed concerns, and poor treatment. Imagine fearing for your health and your baby’s health and then being ignored or talked down or having to navigate a health care system that consistently fails to prioritize your well-being and that of your child.
Beyoncé called it ‘survival mode.’ And while she did not speak specifically to the mental and emotional parts of motherhood — sadly, far too many Black women understand. Survival mode is more than enduring; it is a state of constant vigilance and navigating treacherous waters without reprieve — all of which takes a toll on emotional and psychological well-being. According to a new study on maternal health outcomes, perinatal mental health conditions are the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the first postpartum year in the United States. One in five women are likely to have a perinatal mental health condition, and 40% of Black women are twice as likely.
Yet, despite these numbers, most Black women are not afforded genuine support or treatment for mental health conditions during or after pregnancy. As a result, they are left to navigate their mental health struggles alone, compounding the already considerable stressors associated with pregnancy and motherhood. 29–44% of Black women experience postpartum depressive symptoms. It affects their well-being and ability to bond with and care for their child. The impacts of postpartum depression ripple through the entire family, affecting relationships, parenting dynamics, and the overall emotional climate of the household.
It is time for a change. The journey to motherhood is not just about bringing new life into the world — it’s also about preserving the dignity, resilience, and mental health of the mothers who nurture that life.
As a result, efforts to end the maternal mortality crisis must also acknowledge Black mental health. It looks like:
- Offering comprehensive perinatal mental health screening and support.
- Investing in doula programs that support and advocate for mothers before, during, and after childbirth.
- Improving the maternal health workforce by including more Black women providers.
- Actively listening to the needs and experiences of Black mothers.
- Ensuring that mothers have sufficient time off work with full pay before and after childbirth to recover, bond with their newborns, and manage the demands of parenthood.
- Offering free or subsidized childcare services to alleviate the financial burden on parents.
Black mothers matter; it is time for us to answer their call.
Harley Webley is a graduating student at the Yale School of Public Health.