By Anthereca E. Lane, MD, MHA
SAY HER NAME:
AMBER THURMAN.
SAY HER NAME:
CANDI MILLER.
Data just released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that while the maternal death rate went down for White women and most ethnic minorities in the U.S. in 2023, the maternal death rate for Black women was 3.5 times higher in that same year. Why the discrepancy? It begs the question – could these deaths have been preventable?
Last year leading up to Election Day, ProPublica’s reporting on the death of Amber Thurman indicates that she had taken abortion pills. The pills did not completely evacuate her uterus, also known as an incomplete abortion. Ms. Thurman presented to the hospital with signs of severe infection that ultimately resulted in her death. After being monitored for hours, Ms. Thurman received the surgery she needed too late. Another Black mother dies in the United States of America.
Candi Miller also suffered an incomplete abortion after taking abortion pills. ProPublica states that Ms. Miller was fearful of going to the doctor due to misunderstandings about Georgia’s abortion laws. Instead, Ms. Miller chose to suffer at home trying to manage her pain. She ultimately died with lethal levels of painkillers in her system. She also was found to have retained pregnancy tissue. According to the report, the medical examiner was not able to determine the cause of death. Another Black mother dies in the United States of America.
SAY HER NAME:
AMBER THURMAN.
SAY HER NAME:
CANDI MILLER.
Now, months later, these women are still being used as pawns in a political battle over reproductive rights. Meanwhile, women just like them, women like myself, are dying, left alone without receiving the excellent care they deserve. With each passing day, I am becoming more and more angered that the Black Woman remains the most disrespected woman in America.
We are disrespecting their legacy when we ignore the fact that the ultimate fate of these women was due to dangerous abortion pills. Politicians and the media are using their lives to play up the illusion that abortion pills are safe and can be accessed and taken without any expectation for supervision or follow up.
As Black women in America, here are the questions we need answers to: Were these women were educated about the abortion pills that they used? Did anyone tell them that these pills do not 100% guarantee a complete evacuation of the uterus? Did anyone discuss signs of hemorrhage or infection? Did anyone educate them on when they should no longer monitor their symptoms at home and instead seek immediate medical attention? Did anyone discuss the consequences of retained pregnancy tissue? Did anyone tell them to see a doctor or seek an ultrasound after taking the pills? Did anyone tell them that they could die if these pills do not work?
The abortion rate of Black women is about four times that of White women. We all know the statistics of maternal mortality in the United States, and this new data from the CDC only shows that racial gap in maternal deaths is worsening. Across the board, Black women are three times more likely to die than White women due to pregnancy-related causes. We also know that 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable. The deaths of these Black women were preventable. The stakes are high for all women, but the stakes are even higher for Black women. Anyone who prescribes and dispenses abortion pills without any supervision or follow up and without explanation beyond simply how to take the pills have failed every single woman who chooses this option.
The conversation about how to save Black women from tragic and unnecessary outcomes like these needs to be refocused on creating health care systems and communities that are trustworthy. We often talk about the distrust that Black patients have of the health care system. However, are we creating health care systems and communities that are trustworthy? No woman should ever feel that avoiding medical care is her only option. The stakes are just too high. When a pregnant woman presents for care and needs help, she should not be dismissed or put on a shelf to wait until she is at death’s door. A disorder of the uterus, even if self-inflicted as a result of choosing to take pills, should be taken seriously because the stakes are so high. Her life is at risk!
The lives of Ms. Thurman and Ms. Miller should not be reduced to those of political pawns. Instead, we as members of the health care community, should think of their lives, lost too soon, as inspiration and motivation to do better. Little did they know that the day they took those pills would mark the last days and hours of their lives. As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I ask all who choose to read my words to say their names: Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, your health care communities failed you. In honor of you, we must do better.
Anthereca E. Lane, MD, MHA is a practicing board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist.