Midwifery and Antenatal Care for Black Women: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Non-Hispanic Black mothers are 2.3 times more likely than White mothers to receive delayed or no prenatal care. Black women possess a long history of midwifery-led care, but there is a recent absence in the literature about the role of midwifery in this population. This systematic review elucidates the state-of-the-science regarding Black women’s experience of antenatal care, including the role of midwives. Sixteen articles identified through CINAHL and PubMed databases were included using specific parameters. Three themes were used to identify Black Women’s antenatal care perceptions: (a) care disparities, (b) perceptions of antenatal care, and (c) midwifery-led care. Major literature gaps include Black women’s perception of midwifery as an antenatal care option and the experience and practice of Black midwives today. Understanding Black women’s views of midwifery will enable providers to deliver antenatal care options that facilitate improved outcomes for Black women and their neonates.