Work as a social determinant of maternal health: A qualitative exploration of college-educated Black women's experiences at work during pregnancy and postpartum.

Abstract

Background: Black women are disproportionately impacted by higher rates of maternal mortality in the United States (US). Limited research has focused on adverse maternal health outcomes among college-educated Black women, although research has found these outcomes persistent among this population.

Objectives: This study aimed to fill a critical gap in current research by elucidating the nuanced experiences of college-educated Black women in the workplace during pregnancy and postpartum. By exploring this under-researched area, our study contributes to the academic discourse on Black maternal health disparities within the scope of occupational health. It offers practical insights for enhancing workplace gender equity, informing healthcare practices, and shaping policies that support equitable maternal health outcomes among Black women.

Design: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 Black mothers between March 2019 and September 2019.

Methods: Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted with college-educated Black women in the US from March 2019 to September 2019. Participants were asked several questions about work stress, discrimination, and other workplace experiences during pregnancy and postpartum.

Results: Our analysis identified three themes, including Strong Black Woman/Superwoman, work stress (sub-themes: consciousness of work stress, mental and physical responses to stress, and work-family conflict), and perceived work-related discrimination.

Conclusion: For college-educated Black women experiencing pregnancy and postpartum, it is crucial to understand the structural and social determinants of optimal occupational health. It is critical that workplaces enact occupational health equity with attention to racial, gender, and disability-centered considerations to address the unique challenges experienced by Black women.