TAMPA, Fla. — Every year, hundreds of woman reportedly die during child birth in the United States and cases are increasing.
It's a problem that disproportionately impacts Black women.
Bringing life into this world can come with many challenges that Xaviera Bell said she wasn't prepared for.
“For me, I didn't know that Black maternal health was a thing. I didn't know it was a thing until it became my thing," Bell said.
In 2018, Bell found out she was pregnant with her son Xander. She said she faced challenges many Black women know too well.
“Each time, I recognize that I was not being heard. It was like I was not aware of what my body does and what was not normal,” Bell said.
Xander was born at 21 weeks.
“I was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. My cervix was weak. Which is what I was advising them of, and I was feeling the discomfort of that when they disregarded what I was saying,” Bell said.
Shortly after, she had to say goodbye.
“Every single day that grief waits for you and then it strikes at any given time and it's just like it happened the first day,” Bell said.
This April 16 serves as small reminder. Xander passed away in 4 hours, but his presence is still strong.
“Four hours and sixteen minutes, so I guess this is going to be a really good day,” Bell said.
Tuesday, she's ending a monthly series of discussions about the problem.
“I'm leaving out today having a network of people and a great family,” Bell said.
Last June, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor awarded Evara Health with $2 million in federal funding to help address this issue.
“We used that money to develop a couple of very unique programs. One of them we call our medical home at home program where we go out into the homes of pregnant women,” Dr. Nichelle Threadgill, chief medical officer said.
Evara Health calls it a multi-faceted problem.
“Expanding the health system, expanding the ways that moms can stay connected is really critical in impacting the statistics that we see,” Dr. Threadgill said.
“This is an every woman problem. I also advocate for White women to utilize their privilege and make sure that you regulate the atmosphere when Black women are in distress,” Bell said.
Bell recently wrote a book giving an inside look at the issues many Black women face during their pregnancy called "The Mourning After."