Anatomy of a Self-Hating Black Woman
Unmasking Obstetric & Gynecological Violence | Listen to Audio of Mount Sinai (Erica Rubinstein, VP Patient Experience) trying to convince me to do a case study after being humiliated and discarded by my physician: https://youtu.be/vesdfNDGO48 Photo: speculum| no copyright infringement is intended
On Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 1:00pm I was treated abusively and given substandard medical care by my then obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Michelle Y. Francis, at Mount Sinai West in New York, NY. I was insulted and on the receiving end of shouting, foot stomping, offensive racial remarks, and the waving of vaginal medical instruments wildly in the air. My healthcare concerns were dismissed and left undocumented in my post appointment notes, my body was pathologized and disrespected. Mount Sinai reached out to partner with me to use my experience as a case study, but when I followed up, it became clear there was never positive intent, and now they want to sweep this under the rug.
Data journalist Katharina Buchholz published a presentation on Satista in May 2022 that reads, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Vital Statistics System, more than 55 maternal deaths occurred for every 100,000 live births in 2020 among Black women — this is almost triple the rate for white women.”
The uneven burden of maternal mortality has been trending since Serena Williams went public about her near-death experience.
Serena Williams | no copyright infringement intended
Yasmin Anwar in her 2019 Berkeley News article suggests that middle-class Black women dread the doctors office. The experience I had resonates with many patients that are women and particularly women of color throughout the healthcare system. I hope that by spreading awareness of my mistreatment and encouraging others to break the silence, our leaders will enact policies to protect women and eradicate obstetric violence.
I have spent countless hours trying to rationalize why this even happened to me and the only answer I have is ‘self-hate’.
Special Memo to Black Women: Going to a Black/BIPOC female OBGYN is simply not enough, there is a cultural evolution that needs to take place in medicine right now, we cannot be stalled by ‘all deliberate speed’ in this era.
On Medium my story will be published in a series, click here to download my full narrative.
Listen to Audio of Mount Sinai (Erica Rubinstein, VP Patient Experience) trying to convince me to do a case study after being insulted, humiliated and then discarded by my physician: [Please Sign My Petition]
I strive to see Obstetric Violence codified into law punishable with punitive damages as legal redress for all women and birthing people. In May 2020, The Washington Post featured a reflection about Evelyn Yang, wife of former presidential candidate, Andrew Yang’s wife, by journalist Kimberly Seals Allers. Evelyn had been assaulted by her OBGYN during her pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are no laws that specifically address obstetric or gynecological violence and your advocacy is needed.
Contact your legislators and implore them to develop polices to address obstetric and gynecological violence.
Contact Your Legislator:
Find out who represents you in your state legislature with OpenStates.org
Legal Opinions about Obstetric Violence:
Comprehensive Overview of Obstetric Violence | Georgetown Law Journal
Rethinking Obstetric Violence & Criminalization | O’Neill Institute, Georgetown law
Reflections on Obstetric Violence & The Law | University of Oxford
Legal Protections for People Mistreated in Childbirth | Bill of Health
More Background on Obstetric Violence | Birth Monopoly
Obstetric Violence & Latin American Legal Response | BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lastly, please keep me in prayer, I have crossed the Rubicon by openly talking about my experience. I am determined to make an impact, let the chips fall where they may. If this is not addressed legislatively, then doctors/hospitals will continue abusive practices with impunity.
