Parenting and Obstetric Experiences: A Qualitative Study
Principal Investigator
There are profound differences in the health outcomes of birthing people, and the health of Black and indigenous birthing people represents an urgent national crisis. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, perinatal mental health outcomes have worsened across the country, and the differences between racial/ethnic populations have widened. Individual risk factors do not account for these differences, such as the psychological and physical effects of current and historical racism. Trauma is an important predictor of mental health outcomes in birthing people, and Black and indigenous people are much more likely to experience trauma throughout their life, including at birth.
This project aims to understand how trauma, stress, and discrimination experienced throughout life and in obstetric medical settings could influence postpartum mental health outcomes and treatment. The project will analyze data and medical charts from an existing longitudinal cohort of high-risk birthing people, and also conduct qualitative interviews to study how discrimination influences birthing experiences and mental health. The overall goal of this project is to better understand the behaviors of obstetric providers who treat Black and indigenous birthing people and improve mental health outcomes.
