Introduction
It is important to note that motherhood is a multifaceted experience in the United States. CNN docuseries “Giving Birth in America” by Every Mother Counts is a multi-part documentary series that explores the challenges and experiences of women giving birth in the United States. The series looks at issues such as maternal mortality, racial disparities in healthcare, and the ways in which the American healthcare system can be improved to better serve women and families during childbirth. The given reaction analysis will focus on New York, California, and Montana parts. Throughout the episodes, it is evident that the current healthcare system is failing mothers, especially minority women, who need access to more affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services.
New York
The given episode of the series can be used to identify the general issues in healthcare in the US when it comes to mothers. It was surprising to see that in such a diverse and multicultural state, there are racial disparities. For instance, African American women in New York City are more likely to experience complications during childbirth and more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (Every Mother Counts, 2023). The poor are challenged by the existing roadblocks as well, which are manifested in excessively high costs and low access to affordable care. Emotionally, the video makes a viewer angry and frustrated at the dysfunctional healthcare system and policymakers who enable it. Thus, the solutions must be comprehensive and multifaceted in order to be able to address all the critical problems in the State of New York.
California
The episode was highly similar to New York’s case in terms of the issues identified. The same patterns emerge, which highlight the high cost of care, the lack of access, and racial inequalities. However, compared to other episodes, this one seems to have a greater problem with language barriers and costs. For instance, a Hispanic mother stated that she was deeply traumatized by the fact that a clinic charged her $5800, which is outside her ability to afford such care (Every Mother Counts, 2023). While watching the video, there was a sense of dread and hopelessness due to the financial burdens, which have no place during an already stressful period of pregnancy and motherhood.
Montana
The episode on Montana was the most insightful of the three videos because it showcased the sheer importance of providing mothers with alternatives. Since the beginning, it became evident that some women are resorting to giving birth at home, which led Nandi Andrea to become a midwife (Every Mother Counts, 2023). Midwifery access as an alternative can be crucial for mothers who cannot or do not want to give birth in regular clinics, which tend to charge excessive sums of money. Racial trauma of historical and systemic oppression is highlighted in the episode, where women of Native American or African American backgrounds still experience healthcare inequalities to this day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the existing healthcare system in America is failing mothers, especially minority women, who require access to more affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services. The high cost of care and lack of access to affordable alternatives, such as midwifery services, present significant barriers for many families. While the episodes in New York, California, and Montana illustrate different challenges in accessing maternal healthcare, they all point to the need for comprehensive and multifaceted solutions to improve maternal health outcomes and ensure that all women have access to safe, high-quality care during childbirth.
Reference
Every Mother Counts. (2023). Giving birth in America [Video]. CNN. Web.