If you’re a Black woman navigating fertility or thinking about pregnancy, you already know that the healthcare system doesn’t always listen. You know what it’s like to have your concerns dismissed, your symptoms minimized, or your questions met with impatience. You know that advocating for yourself in medical spaces can feel exhausting, and that the care you receive isn’t always the care you deserve.
Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually from April 11–17, brings national attention to these experiences. Led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, this week centers the voices, experiences, and leadership of Black mothers and birthing people. But at Laurel Fertility Care, we believe this conversation needs to happen every day, not just one week a year.
Black maternal health isn’t just about raising awareness of statistics. It’s about ensuring that Black women have access to care where their voices are heard, their concerns are taken seriously, and their full humanity is honored every single day.
The reality Black families face
The numbers tell a stark story. In the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Black women are about 1.8 times more likely to experience infertility, yet are less likely to access fertility care or treatment.
These aren’t just statistics. They represent real people, real families, and real pain.
“As a Black physician and a father, Black maternal health is deeply personal every day of the year,” says Dr. Collin Smikle. “It is a reminder that the disparities we see in reproductive medicine, where Black women are often dismissed or overlooked, are not just statistics; they represent our sisters, our wives, and our daughters. When I think about the healthcare system my own daughter will navigate, it fuels my commitment to ensure that Laurel Fertility Care is a sanctuary of both clinical excellence and profound empathy.”
The barriers are real, and they’re systemic
Black women face delays in accessing fertility specialists due to systemic barriers: medical mistrust rooted in a history of exploitation and abuse in healthcare, cultural stigma around infertility that can make it harder to seek help, financial strain and insurance barriers that limit access to treatment, and lack of representation in fertility care spaces.
Additionally, conditions like fibroids and hormonal imbalances are more common in Black women and can make the path to pregnancy more complex. Even when treatment is accessible, disparities persist. Black women undergoing IVF are statistically less likely to achieve a successful live birth compared to white women, often due to differences in the quality of care received and underlying health conditions that go unaddressed.
These challenges are not just medical. They are the result of systemic inequities that have shaped healthcare for generations.
What equitable care actually looks like
“In the field of reproductive endocrinology, we see a disturbing trend where Black families often face longer delays in seeking treatment and higher barriers to accessing high-quality care,” says Dr. Smikle. “My practice is built on the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table. At Laurel Fertility Care, we address this by fostering an environment of ‘inclusive excellence,’ meaning we don’t just provide care; we provide care that acknowledges and respects the specific cultural and systemic hurdles our community faces.”
Our commitment to Black families means:
- Listening without dismissing: Your symptoms are real. Your concerns matter. Your questions deserve thorough, respectful answers.
- Supporting you through financial and insurance navigation: We help you understand your options and find pathways to care that work for your situation.
- Offering flexible, personalized treatment plans: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your care should be tailored to your body, your health history, and your goals.
- Creating a space where you’re seen and valued: You shouldn’t have to fight to be heard in the exam room. You shouldn’t have to prove that your pain is real. You deserve care that honors your full humanity.
Equitable care means removing barriers, not just treating symptoms. It means creating an environment where Black women don’t have to be twice as prepared, twice as assertive, or twice as vigilant to receive the same quality of care.
Building families, honoring diversity
“My own family has shaped my practice in every way,” says Dr. Smikle. “Navigating the world with a nonbinary child has further expanded my perspective on what family building looks like today. It has reinforced my mission to ensure Laurel Fertility Care stands for truly inclusive care. Whether you are a Black woman seeking to be heard or an LGBTQ+ couple looking to start your journey, I want you to know that we see you, we value your story, and we have built a practice that honors the diversity of the modern family.”
Healing and family-building happen best when people feel supported, seen, and respected. And with the right care, Black families can and do thrive.
A commitment beyond one week
The disparities Black women face in healthcare are not inevitable. They are the result of systems that should be changed, practices that should be improved, and biases that should be confronted. This work doesn’t happen in one week a year. It happens every single day in every patient interaction.
At Laurel Fertility Care, we’re committed to being part of that change every day. We believe that every person deserves high-quality, affirming care on their path to parenthood. By continuing to listen, learn, and act, we can help build a future where Black maternal health outcomes are no longer defined by disparity, but by dignity, support, and thriving families.
If you’re a Black woman navigating fertility, pregnancy, or family planning, you deserve care where your voice matters, your concerns are taken seriously, and your health is the priority. We’re here to provide that care.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Smikle and our team. Let’s talk about your health, your goals, and how we can support you with the care you deserve.
