After traumatic pregnancies, Mimi Bingham needed another way. Then, she discovered a coalition of Black birth workers who forever changed her life. Today, we tell the story of Mimi and the birth workers fighting a nationwide maternal health emergency.

Read more: 

The United States tops a list that no country wants to be on: It’s considered the worst place to give birth among high-income nations. Even more jarring, Black women in particular are much more likely to die from childbirth or suffer life-threatening complications.In Texas alone, which is responsible for 1 in 10 of the nation’s births, a report released in 2022 found that Black women there are twice as likely to die as their White peers. The report also found that aspiring Black parents are at even greater risk of experiencing serious complications during childbirth, shouldering a disproportionate burden of close calls.  

And yet, the report found that 90 percent of those deaths are preventable. 

Today on “Post Reports,” reporter Akilah Johnson introduces us to Mimi Bingham, Alyse Hamlin and a movement of Black birth workers in Houston who are taking life into their own hands – and how they’re fighting back and finding workarounds, one birth at a time.  

She knows the ache of losing a baby. Her calling is to help other Black moms.

For some Black women, the fear of death shadows the joy of birth

Taking life into their own hands: The story of Black birth workers and moms

Today’s episode was produced by Elana Gordon and Taylor White. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Reena Flores and Stephen Smith. Thanks to Elahe Izadi and Dominic Walsh. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.