BIO

Ayana Ovalles is a second-year student at Florida State University's College of Medicine
where she is pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions (BS). She is a participant of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which has allowed her to engage in research on access to maternity care, working alongside one of her mentors and peers. In her
academic career, Ayana is focused on gaining more exposure and utilizing leadership and collaboration skills whilst making meaningful connections. Her interest in medicine stems from her goal of communicating the importance of cultivating equity in healthcare. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of public health and progress toward a career as a OB/GYN.

Gadsden County and the Politics of Birthing Spaces: The Making of an Invisible Care Desert

Abstract

With there being an increased interest in maternity care deserts, there has been less emphasis on how such framings may render certain communities invisible. Although Gadsden County, Florida, is not considered a maternity care desert, many of its community members still experience it as such. The present study aims to investigate the trajectory of maternal healthcare in Gadsden County for Black birthing persons. It divulges birthing narratives, examining what such experiences mean for the community and birthing care for African American birthing persons as a whole. By conducting semi-structured interviews, this study aims to capture the social processes that impact one’s ability to seek and navigate care within a perceived maternity care desert. The study is divided into two groups: Black birthing residents (n=26) and reproductive health advocates and professionals (n=14).

Many respondents within the study share birthing stories that detail forms of obstetric violence and perceived racial discrimination. Furthermore, several professionals acknowledge that there is a history of bias in the medical care system. These biases directly impact African American individuals, especially those in marginalized communities. The study reveals several emergent themes among members of the community, including how they are naming barriers to care, resisting barriers to care, and cultivating health equity. Although this study is not designed to be generalizable since it is a qualitative case study situated in Gadsden County, further research is still needed to explore how other marginalized communities navigate the ever-shifting landscape of maternal healthcare within the U.S.

Keywords: Maternity Care, Doula, Midwife