How to Find a Culturally Competent Healthcare Provider for Postpartum Care: A Guide for Black Women
Why Culturally Competent Postpartum Care Matters for Black Women
Black women experience unique challenges during the postpartum period, ranging from higher rates of maternal mortality to increased risks of postpartum depression. Research shows that Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (CDC, 2020). These disparities are driven by systemic racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and a lack of access to culturally competent care. Culturally competent healthcare providers recognize and respect the cultural, social, and historical experiences of Black women, ensuring they receive care that honors their identity and lived experiences.
This guide will help Black women identify culturally competent providers, highlight the role of community organizations like the Black Girls Mental Health Foundation (BGMHF), and share practical steps to access support during the postpartum period.
What Is a Culturally Competent Healthcare Provider?
A culturally competent healthcare provider understands and integrates the cultural context of their patients into care delivery. For Black women, this means acknowledging the role of race, racism, and historical trauma in shaping health experiences. Key characteristics of culturally competent providers include:
Awareness of Bias: Providers actively recognize and address implicit biases.
Cultural Humility: They engage in continuous learning and self-reflection about their own assumptions.
Patient-Centered Care: They prioritize the unique needs, values, and experiences of Black women.
Communication Skills: They listen actively, use plain language, and involve patients in decision-making.
When Black women have access to culturally competent providers, they are more likely to feel seen, heard, and respected—critical factors that contribute to positive health outcomes (American Psychological Association, 2021).
How to Identify Culturally Competent Postpartum Care Providers
Finding a culturally competent provider can feel like a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can identify healthcare professionals who align with your needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start with Trusted Directories
Begin your search with directories that prioritize culturally responsive care for Black women, such as:
Therapy for Black Girls – A directory of Black therapists, many of whom specialize in perinatal mental health.
Black Female Therapists – A platform that highlights Black women therapists who understand the unique needs of Black women.
BIRTH Network – This network, run by the Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation, connects Black birthing individuals to essential postpartum mental health and wellness resources. Learn more here.
2. Ask for Recommendations
Talk to Black Mothers in Your Community: Personal referrals from other Black women can lead you to the right provider.
Ask Your Doula, Midwife, or OB-GYN: Professionals in your birth team may have connections to culturally competent providers.
Utilize Black-Founded Support Networks: Organizations like Black Girls Breastfeeding Club and Sisters in Loss have community connections that may lead you to the right care.
3. Use Online Tools
Online Reviews: Look for reviews on platforms like Zocdoc or Healthgrades, focusing on feedback related to cultural competence.
Provider Websites: Look for mission statements or "About Us" pages where providers emphasize equity, inclusion, or specialized training in perinatal mental health.
4. Interview Potential Providers
Before committing to a healthcare provider, ask questions like:
"What experience do you have working with Black mothers?"
"How do you address implicit bias in your practice?"
"What cultural training have you received regarding maternal mental health?"
These questions ensure the provider aligns with your cultural needs and expectations.
Systemic Barriers to Culturally Competent Postpartum Care
Black women face specific challenges in accessing culturally competent providers due to systemic issues, including:
Provider Shortages: There is a critical shortage of Black mental health providers. Currently, only 4% of U.S. psychologists are Black (American Psychological Association, 2021).
Cost and Insurance Limitations: Culturally competent care is often out of network, making it unaffordable for many.
Racism and Implicit Bias: Racism within the healthcare system contributes to poor health outcomes, especially in maternity care.
The Black Girls Mental Health Foundation (BGMHF) addresses these issues by offering therapy vouchers to low-income Black women and funding training for healthcare providers to become culturally competent. Through initiatives like the Clinical Birth Worker Internship Program, BGMHF is building a pipeline of culturally competent care providers for Black mothers. Learn more about these services here.
How Black Girls Mental Health Foundation Can Support You
The BGMHF takes a holistic approach to maternal mental health, providing tools, resources, and financial support to ensure Black women have access to culturally affirming care. Here’s how they can help:
1. Therapy Vouchers
The BGMHF offers therapy vouchers for low-income Black mothers who have limited or no access to maternal mental health services. These vouchers ensure women receive care from culturally competent mental health providers. Apply for therapy vouchers here.
2. Clinical Birth Worker Internship Program
This program trains future Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) and Postpartum Doulas to address the unique wellness needs of Black mothers during the perinatal period. Through hands-on training, participants provide culturally affirming care under expert supervision. Learn more about this program here.
3. The BIRTH Network
The BIRTH Network connects Black birthing individuals to essential wellness resources. By fostering partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations, BGMHF ensures birthing individuals have access to culturally competent care during pregnancy and postpartum. Visit the BIRTH Network here.
What to Do If You Encounter Bias or Discrimination
If you encounter discrimination from a healthcare provider, you have the right to advocate for yourself. Here’s how:
Request a New Provider: If you feel uncomfortable, ask to be reassigned to a different provider.
File a Complaint: Report discrimination to the medical institution's patient relations department.
Document Your Experience: Keep records of interactions where you felt mistreated.
Seek Legal Support: File a complaint with your state medical board or the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you need mental health support after a traumatic experience with a provider, BGMHF’s therapy vouchers can connect you with culturally competent mental health care providers.
Key Takeaways
Culturally competent providers offer Black women postpartum care that reflects their values, experiences, and identities.
Start your search with directories like Therapy for Black Girls or the BIRTH Network.
BGMHCF offers therapy vouchers, training for healthcare workers, and a network of culturally competent providers to support Black birthing individuals.
If you encounter discrimination, you can report it and advocate for culturally competent care.
Take Action: Get Support from Black Girls Mental Health Foundation
If you are a Black birthing individual seeking culturally competent postpartum care, the Black Girls Mental Health Foundation is here to help. Apply for therapy vouchers here or join the BIRTH Network here. These services ensure that Black women have access to the care and support they deserve.
Need help finding a culturally competent provider or want to support the work of BGMHF? Visit BGMHF for more information on how to get involved.