African American Pregnancy

The second edition of this pathbreaking, widely taught book offers five new chapters, on breastfeeding and Black infant health; Black birthing during COVID; Black doulas rethinking birthing practices; the recent buildup of a US national movement; and expanding the global movement for sexual and reproductive wellbeing. Other chapters are updated throughout. Birthing Justice puts black women's voices at the center of the debate on what should be done to fix the broken maternal care system.

Black women have higher rates of premature birth than other women in America. This cannot be simply explained by economic factors, with poorer women lacking resources or access to care. Even professional, middle-class Black women are at a much higher risk of premature birth than low-income White women in the United States. Dána-Ain Davis looks into this phenomenon, placing racial differences in birth outcomes into a historical context, revealing that ideas about reproduction and race today have been influenced by the legacy of ideas which developed during the era of slavery.

At the reception, while everyone is full of joy, Carla is feeling more lonely than ever. She is surprised to discover that the incredibly dashing best man, Daniel, is still single himself. And lonely too. One drink turns into more than a few, and the sexual tension between the two of them reaches its peak once they hit the hotel bedroom. It was supposed to be a one night stand but, two months later, Carla finds out she is pregnant; and now she has some huge decisions to make. Daniel might have been the best man at the wedding, but is he the best man for her baby?