Liberated pregnancy: A mixed methods Black feminist thought analysis

Black women are more likely to experience perinatal mood disorder symptoms and have lower rates of access to mental health services than their White counterparts. Perpetuation of white supremacy and medical racism leaves medical professionals underprepared to support Black women. In the current study, through a convergent parallel mixed methodology of four mood disorder scales and fifteen individual interviews of pregnant Black women ages 29-36 utilizing Black feminist thought epistemology and the Blafemme Healing Model, I aimed to document Black women’s thoughts on their experience of mental health during pregnancy. I uncovered seven themes (a) proximity to sadness, (b) pregnancy symptoms colliding with mental health,(c) I am growing, loving, and learning, (d) acquainted with healing, (e) reaching optimal financial outlook, (f) the toll of White supremacy, and (g) finally free. The women, on average, had mild-moderate anxiety, possible depression, minimal to moderate discrimination in medical settings, and high psychological wellbeing in personal growth and self-acceptance. The generational impact of that harm and internalized racism, misogynoir, police brutality, mental health stigma, increased anxiety due to pregnancy symptoms, lack of financial support, and global health crisis continue to be barriers to liberating pregnancies for Black women of a variety of sexual orientations.