Newsworthy

Models like TeamBirth empower birthing people and make sure their voice is heard. But they’re only as effective as the trust and relationship between patients and their care team. PJ’s story emphasizes how strong, positive relationships between patients and providers can be as comforting and supportive as high-quality care.

The Adventure Begins

During her annual checkup with a provider from a different health system, Pejanae (PJ) Black discovered she was pregnant on August 1, 2023. Although she felt unwell the day before, the news was a surprise. Her doctor initially dismissed the possibility of pregnancy but then confirmed it with a test.

“The day before I was doing dishes and I randomly gagged,” said PJ. “I don’t do that ever, so I knew something was wrong. I was talking to my doctor and asked for a pregnancy test. She said I probably needed protein or I was dehydrated. So, we talked about everything to feel better—drink more water, eat a little better, maybe exercise a little more. As she’s talking, the pregnancy test finally shows the results, and she’s like, ‘Yeah, never mind. You’re pregnant.'”

PJ and Brandon already had two children: Jesiah (5 years) and Joah’Lee (3 years). While hadn’t planned on having another baby so soon, they were excited about the adventure ahead. They received many forms of support throughout the pregnancy, making their journey together even more special.

Support Looks Like Fair Access to Care

Stormont Vail’s triage system was a lifeline for the couple. Its accessibility offered prompt care without the usual red tape associated with hospital visits. During one visit, a positive fetal fibronectin test showed a high risk of premature birth. The idea of becoming a mom earlier than expected was overwhelming.

“We utilized triage a lot,” Brandon said. “It might be typical for other hospitals, but Stormont is the only hospital I know that has it. Going there is super easy; you go to the hospital, onto the floor, and they take you immediately. They opened it [triage] up to anyone pregnant, which was life-changing.”

PJ and Brandon saw the nurses as caregivers, advocates, and friends who worked as a team to ensure a safe and healthy delivery to PJ’s preferences.

“We never once felt that we weren’t getting adequate care,” Brandon said. “If anything, they [the nurses] were like, ‘We might need to admit you for your safety or health.’ They always thought ahead and gave us all the options. We didn’t feel like we were being forced into a square peg.”

Support Looks Like Active Participation

Being her third child, PJ expected a swift delivery. However, her experience was anything but that. Throughout the ordeal, PJ’s nurse, Diana, offered invaluable emotional and mental support, which encouraged PJ to persevere through her labor pains when she felt she couldn’t go on.

“At one point, I said, ‘I want to push; I just want to be done!’ They checked me, and it was not time [to push]. I just sobbed, like ugly cried,” PJ said. “Diana held my hand, rubbed my back, and said, ‘We’ll get this done; it’ll be fine. Yes, this sucks, and it’s not what you want it to be. But I’m here; your husband’s here. It’ll be all right.'”

“She [Diana] helped us refocus our expectations,” Brandon said. “She’s like, ‘You need to remember to treasure each of these moments.’ I would call it being in the trenches with us.”

After a 14-hour, unmedicated delivery, PJ, Brandon, Jesiah, and Joah’Lee welcomed baby Jaren to their family.

Support Looks Like Acknowledgement

Understanding and empathy go a long way toward supporting others, especially mothers like PJ, who often worry about the risks they face during pregnancy. By acknowledging and supporting their concerns, PJ’s care team was able to help her feel happier and more hopeful about her pregnancy.

“It’s always in the back of my mind throughout the whole pregnancy: worry if you’re losing your baby or your own life,” PJ said. “I try not to vocalize it because I don’t want to spend the whole nine months in constant worry and fear that something’s going to go wrong. But it’s also hard not to because you hear it.”

She was apprehensive about the possibility of needing a C-section because of the risk of complications, especially for Black women. The care team alleviated the couple’s concerns by listening to PJ and modifying the care plan to address her needs.

“Every time I would talk to my midwives and nurses about my birth preferences, the first thing I always said was, “I would like actually to survive this,” PJ said. “You could see in their eyes that they were a little sad that I even had to say that, but I wanted to make sure I was heard. Like I said, it’s always in the back of my mind. You hear about it all the time and hope it’s not you.”

“They weren’t defensive when PJ had to bring some of that stuff up,” Brandon said. “Some people can be like, ‘Oh, we would never do that.’ They were like, ‘Well, absolutely, let’s put a good game plan around this. Let’s surround you in the way that you would like.’ If I needed to, I would advocate for her and our children.

“Luckily, with Stormont, I never had to do that because they [the nurses] were always on top of it. It’s still unfortunate that we both have to talk through [Black maternal mortality] every single pregnancy. This is the reality; we’ve heard the stories of it.”

Support Looks Like Shared Stories and Experiences

While PJ and her care team never explicitly discussed this complex topic, their unspoken respect spoke volumes.

“When we told her [Leslie] our birthing plan was that PJ would like to live, Leslie was like, ‘Well, that’s a given. And it is, but with PJ being a Black mom, it’s not a given.” Brandon said. “But the way we’ve interacted with the care team, the midwives specifically, there was no doubt that Leslie, Trish, and Rita would do whatever they could.”

The midwives and nurses connected with PJ through their own stories, such as Trish’s experience with hyperemesis. Their openness about their lives made clinical interactions personal, and PJ and Brandon felt like more than just her patients.

“It was so relatable because she [PJ] went through the same exact thing,” Brandon said. “I don’t think we could ever say we wish we went somewhere else. If people ask us where to go, we tell them to go to Stormont Vail Lincoln Center and meet the midwives.”

Support Looks Like Unconditional Love

For PJ, motherhood is a complex blend of emotions where happiness can sometimes give way to fears due to concerning statistics.

“Being a Black mother is one of my greatest joys and biggest fears,” PJ said. “It’s the best thing ever. But you read those statistics. I pray my kids never have to worry about that. I hope that changes drastically.”

PJ and Brandon want their children to be happy, prosperous, and free from intergenerational fear. Still, they know their children will likely face additional challenges because of their racial identity. Brandon hopes PJ’s example will inspire their children to embrace their identities with pride and resilience.

“All mothers want their kids to be happy, grow, and do all things. But I want my kids to do all that without having that fear in the back of my mind and the back of my mom’s mind and her mother’s.”

PJ and Brandon dream for their kids to find joy and love in everyday life and see a world with endless possibilities. Together, they plan to create a future where their family is surrounded by love and peace, cherishing the moments that bring them joy.

Find Support for Your Journey

As a Black mother, PJ was aware of the higher risks of maternal mortality and complications, which concerned her throughout her pregnancy. However, her care team’s openness and support in addressing these concerns were crucial in creating a positive and reassuring environment for PJ and Brandon.

Support comes in many forms. Find more resources for Black mothers and children on our website.