Reproductive and Sexual Health and Experiences Escape Room
ANTH 376 Final Project - Celia Duggan
start
Introduction
This "escape room" is meant to be a fun, unique, and interactive way to demonstrate how reproductive and sexual health and rights are impacted by various formal and informal systems in the United States, such as medical and educational infrastructures and sociopolitical norms and expectations.
This game will take you through common experiences, life events, obstacles, and choices that Americans with varying familial desires, lifestyles, positions in society, and identities face regarding their reproductive and sexual health. You will be given short circumstances and choices to choose from regarding these short descriptions. There are no right or wrong answers! The choices you make will prompt follow-up info boxes about both positive and negative aspects of reproductive and sexual health care and rights regarding these experiences, as well as solutions and methods of rebuilding medical, educational, governmental, and societal infrastructures.
This game is inspired by material from an Anthropology of Reproduction course at JMU and interviews conducted with three women working in women's, gender, sexuality, and reproductive justice political and educational advocacy spheres.
By connecting interview content to class materials (such as Davis, Keaney, Dixon, Casteñeda, Singer, Dorothy Roberts' TedTalk, and the Aftershock film), I hope to raise awareness of structural and sociopolitical barriers to accessing reproductive and sexual health care and education. The three interviews shed light on the lack of intersectional, inclusive, and culturally relevant approaches to healthcare, education, and policy, which greatly impact how people live their lives, access healthcare and medical resources, are supported by formal and informal systems, and confront reproductive and sexual experiences.
Through this project, I hope to highlight the need for comprehensive sexual and reproductive education, transparency, support, and better infrastructure in healthcare, and raising awareness of the lived realities of vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Education
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Education
Menu
It’s time for health class! Your teacher reminds you that this is the start of your reproductive and sexual health unit. You’re allowed to opt out of the lessons but need a parent’s permission to do so. Do you think these lessons are important? Or do you ask your parent(s) to sign the opt-out form?
No, these health lessons are important for understanding my body and learning about reproduction!
Yes, these lessons make me uncomfortable and I don’t need to know about them.
No, these lessons are not very informative about contraception, consent, and pregnancy prevention, but I don’t feel the need to opt out of them.
Education
Menu
Your child just turned 2 years old! Some of your friends who also have children have started teaching their kids about boundaries, consent, and anatomy. Do you think these are important and necessary topics to teach your kids at this age?
No, they are only 2 years old. They won’t understand these concepts anyway.
Yes, these are super important for kids to learn at a young age! But how should we go about this?
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Advocacy and Awareness
Menu
You have a friend who just had a baby and experienced some complications that led to her having a C-section. Despite this, your friend (the mother) was only required to come in for 1 follow-up appointment 6 weeks after the birth. Your friend is worried about further complications and has voiced concern about being in a lot of pain despite the doctor's positive attitude about the procedure and the medications she's been prescribed. Should you be concerned? Do you think your friend should seek further support?
My friend and her baby are likely still healthy! The doctor would have told her if the medication or procedure had any negative side effects.
Maybe she should seek advice or care from another doctor... Despite the lack of concern from the one doctor, she should make sure there is nothing else wrong with her or the baby!
Advocacy and Awareness
Menu
You recently discovered your body started undergoing menopause. You notice a few symptoms you have seem uncommon, as none of your friends or family members have talked about experiencing them, but you only remember ever hearing about hot flashes, irregular bleeding, and mood changes. You're scared to ask your friends because you don't want them to think something is wrong with you, but your doctor has not been very helpful either. What are your next steps? Are these symptoms normal?
I should do some more research, ask my friends and family, and maybe try to find another healthcare resource that focuses on menopause and reproductive care specifically.
I'm sure my symptoms are normal. I guess I'll just have to adapt and live with them!
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Access
Menu
You live in a rural area and have very little access to healthcare resources and facilities due to distance and scarcity. You find out you're about 5 weeks pregnant and feel you may be unable to take care of a child safely and efficiently. Because of the state you live in, you'll have to find an abortion facility within the next week to get a legal abortion. What do you do?
The likelyhood of accessing an abortion within a week is almost impossible. Although I am not financially or mentally prepared to have a child, I will carry out the pregnancy.
I will travel to the nearest clinic to try and have an abortion. I know state legislation could bar me from recieving this care, but I have to at least try!
Access
Menu
You've had multiple pregnancies via C-section and are about to have your 3rd child. You end up having to go to the hospital for an emergency C-section due to complications. The nurses give you the epidural and are about to start the procedure, but you notice you can still feel a large section of your legs. You keep telling them you aren't fully numb and the medical staff continues to dismiss your concerns. How do you successfully advocate for yourself in this situation? Or what other ways could someone potentially avoid something like this from happening?
I continue to tell them I'm not ready for the procedure, but they are still dismissive, as they want to make sure they deliver the baby as soon as possible. My partner also raises their voice and they finally agreed to give me more medication before proceeding.
I hire a midwife or doula to be an advocate for me during my birth process. Having a healthcare professional like this is important because they are more knowledgeable about what is common and abnormal than I do. They can communicate with other doctors to ensure the baby and I are both safe.
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Menu
You're a 23-year-old, one-income parent with no health benefits. You have 2 children and are not in a place where you can financially support another if you were to get pregnant. You are looking to find a form of birth control that works for you, but without insurance, they're all so expensive!
If I can't afford any of the birth control options that are available to me, I'll just take the risk and hope I don't get pregnant!
I should talk to my doctor about potential ways to access this care! There might be programs or providers out there that help with cost reductions or waivers.
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Menu
You're 38 weeks pregnant when you discover you have a severe subchorionic hemorrhage. Your doctor urges you to come to the hospital for an emergency C-section. As the nurses are prepping you for surgery, the doctor brings in a form for you to sign agreeing to the surgery. When you take a closer look, you see they have already checked the box for you to have your tubes tied. The doctor explains they believe you could have more complications in future pregnancies, but also that because you are below the poverty line, it could ensure you wouldn't have to worry about becoming pregnant again.
The doctor should not have done that without discussing potential options or getting my consent!
The doctor may have a point. I don't know if I would be able to afford another child and I don't know the risks of getting pregnant after having a severe subchorionic hemorrhage.
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Medical Discrimination
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Menu
You are in a same-sex couple and want to have a baby! You decide to pursue a form of artificial insemination using your egg because you want the child to have genetic and familial characteristics. When you arrive at the local clinic, you're met with refusal due to your sexual identity and non-marital status. How do you navigate this? Should you just adopt instead?
There are so many other clinics that can help us achieve our reproductive desires. It is frustrating and unfortunate that providers still discriminate based on sexuality and marital status.
I guess we will adopt instead. Artifical reproductive technologies are expensive anyway.
Medical Discrimination
Menu
Towards the end of your wife's entire pregnancy, she began experiencing trouble breathing, dizziness, headaches, and other concerning symptoms. All her doctors dismissed them as being regular pregnancy symptoms. When you finally consulted a midwife, they voiced a very large concern about her platelet numbers, which had been decreasing throughout the pregnancy. They determined she had HELLP syndrome, which is very severe and can cause maternal mortality, and were forced to induce and rush her into labor.Could this have been prevented?
It is important to note in this scenario that your wife is a Black woman.
I'm sure the doctors were making sure all her levels were fine and that these symptoms likely show up in other pregnancies with no complications. We just got super unlucky.
This could have definitely been prevented. The doctors ignored our concerns and did not take us seriously. This could have been prevented!
Here's a resource to learn more about HELLP syndrome.
Completed
Congratulations, you've completed the game! I hope you learned more about how institutions in the United States shape people's reproductive and sexual health perspectives and experiences, as well as what we can do to change both the formal and informal factors that induce harmful narratives and systems.
Start over?
Consequences of unintended pregnancies without access to proper healthcare
Because you live in a rural area with limited resources that are already restricted, the options you may have for receiving proper and safe reproductive care are already limited. The consequences of these situations can be dire for all reproducing populations, especially low socioeconomic populations and people of color. Living in rural and restrictive states causes an increase in abnormal and dangerous birth outcomes, especially when people are barred from accessing abortion, an extremely important and critical form of reproductive care in certain situations, not just to terminate unintended pregnancies.Additionally, being unable or unwilling to care for a child can have detrimental affects on both the parent(s) and child(ren). Firstly, it is unfair and unjust to force people to carry out a pregnancy if that is not their desire. This can cause parents to harbor animosity towards their children, can cause families to have limited resources and struggle to financially support their families, and can hinder the child's development. Ultimately, accessing abortion and other reproductive and sexual healthcare is critical for ensuring bodily autonomy and the matter of choice is left up to those experiencing these events, as situations and circumstances vary for all people.
Importance of Early Sex Education
Great! Being exposed to sex education helps children and teenagers be prepared for life. Sex and intimacy is generally inevitable, and proper sex education helps people practice safe sex and know their options for contraception, STI prevention, and reproductive and sexual healthcare.However, these lessons are often abstinence-based, which generally does not educate people about the risks of and what sex may look like for different people. Using an intersectional and safe-based approach, sex education can be more informative for people with varying sexual and gender identities, as these experiences are not all the same!
Consequences of restrictive legislation and accessing reproductive healthcare
An influential aspect as to why some people may not seek an abortion, especially in a restrictive state, is due to the lack of quality access they have (or do not have) nearby. Firstly, taking time to travel and even take off of work may not be an option for some people, as they can't afford the loss of income or expenses it may take to get to their destination. Additionally, these economic factors may contribute to the financial marginalization regarding prenatal care, birthing, and postnatal care if they do continue their pregnancy. Secondly, people may travel to these clinics just to be met with criticism, coercion, and discrimination based on their position in society, their race, their sexual or gender identity, their ability, and many other factors.The impact of restrictive legislation can be dire, as it impacts a person's ability to make autonomous decisions about their own life and familial desires. It also undermines and ignores the multitude of situations that people are placed in that may have caused them to become pregnant or want to terminate their pregnancy. Ultimately, states with abortion restrictions and bans cause people to seek other methods of termination that are more dangerous and can cause abnormal health outcomes. Reforming legislation to regard individual circumstances, choices, and autonomy is critical for prioritizing the well-being of all Americans, but especially those who reproduce.
Importance of Early Sex Education
While some people may not think early sex education is important, proper sex education helps children and growing teenagers understand anatomy, consent, how to practice safe sex (such as STI prevention and contraception), and your options for reproductive and sexual healthcare. Having these lessons properly implemented and taught to kids and teenagers is vital for helping them remain aware and safe! It is also critical to do so in a way that is culturally relevant, uses intersectionality, and considers varying gender and sexuality identities. Contrasingly, some parents may have their kids opt out of these lessons because of the lack of proper and relevant education, which may reify harmful narratives around reproduction and sexual health. Something to think about!
Importance of educating young children
Although it may not seem important, teaching children about consent, setting boundaries, anatomy, and regulating their emotions are super important for safety and development. This can be connected to early sexual and reproductive health and education.Many communities of color find themselves teaching their children about these topic areas due to the adultification and hypersexualization of children of color. It's important to acknowledge these harmful narratives, but it can also be a lesson to other communities about the importance of this education to ensure kids are safe and understand how to advocate for themselves.
Importance of Early Sex Education
This can be true depending on how curriculum is structured! Implementing an intersectional, culturally relevant, and inclusive approach in sex education is critical for validating varying gender and sexual identities and the unique lived experiences of all!These lessons are so important for helping people understand their own bodies, as well as how to navigate and practice safe reproductive and sexual health and rights.
Importance of educating young children
Awesome! A great way to implement these teachings in your child's daily life is by finding and reading them books that touch on these issues. Children's books can help kids learn and understand these concepts in a familiar and simple way while still providing valuable lessons!
It is important to note that children's books have gotten much more diverse, descriptive, and inclusive over time. You can visit this website for a list of books on these topics!
Consequences of not being informed or able to self-advocate in healthcare
Unfortunately, many people are not very educated on pregnancy and birthing processes, even when they're the ones experiencing them! It is also very common for medical professionals to not explain procedures or what may be going on in simple terms that the average person can understand. Or, when people do try to advocate for themselves and believe something may be wrong, medical teams may be dismissive (such as in this case!). The assumption of knowledgeability and the prioritization of the baby's life during birth and pregnancy undermines the health and safety of the person who is giving birth.The concept of making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth touches on this, highlighting the need for women and birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them properly, and be as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. Redistributing this power and creating agency for people to advocate for themselves in healthcare is critical for maintaining trust, accountability, and positive outcomes. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.Additionally, Black women and women of color are disproportionately treated inferiorly in the medical sphere. There is a long history of Black patients being undermined in this field due to the assumption that their pain tolerance is higher simply based on skin color and genetics. This is untrue! This is also an example of race as a proxy, which places lives in danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes.
Consequences of not being informed or able to self-advocate in healthcare
For those who can afford to hire a doula or midwife, or access another non-traditional healthcare resource, this is a great option if you are feeling unsure about your knowledge or abilities to advocate for yourself during such a vulnerable process. However, many people who need this resource most are those who cannot access or afford it. These resources can be important for supporting new families and mothers after birth as well!Black women and women of color are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere. There is a long history of Black patients being undermined in this field due to the assumption that their pain tolerance is higher simply based on skin color and genetics. This is untrue! This is also an example of race as a proxy, which places lives in danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes.Additionally, supporting women and making them the protagonists in pregnancy and birth highlights the need for women and birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them properly, and be as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. Redistributing this power and creating agency for people to advocate for themselves in healthcare is critical for maintaining trust, accountability, and positive outcomes. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.
Raising awareness about potential side effects of reproductive care and procedures
There is often this narrative that women and birth givers should trust their doctors and allow some time to pass before seeing a doctor about pain, discomfort, or concerns. Although this could be true with minor concerns, birth and reproduction concerns are super important and should be taken seriously! Oftentimes, people run into concerns and 'uncommon' health issues simply due to the lack of transparency or awareness that is provided by healthcare institutions regarding the potential side effects of medication and procedures.A way to prevent these issues from occurring is by making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth. Having birth givers and women feel heard, having things explained to them transparently and effectively, and being made as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability is extremely important for supporting people during heightened vulnerability. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.It is also important to note that populations of color, non-English speaking populations, and low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in healthcare, This stems from medical racism, as well as social and cultural ideas about who deserves quality healthcare.
Raising awareness about potential side effects of reproductive care and procedures
That's great advice! You can never be too careful when it comes to reproductive care, especially after a serious procedure such as a C-section. These types of care are very normalized in our society, and there is often a lack of transparency about what goes into this and what the recovery can look like. If your friend is experiencing pain post-birth and doesn't know why, they should definitely see someone! Birth and reproduction concerns are super important and should be taken seriously! The average person is likely uneducated about certain medications and procedures, but they should not have to pry about why they may be experiencing issues! It's important to hold the medical system accountable and advocate for yourself!However, people should not have to constantly speak up for themselves about issues they experience due to a lack of care and transparency. Making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth is important for creating spaces for birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them transparently and effectively, and be made as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. It is also important to note that populations of color, non-English speaking populations, and low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in healthcare. This stems from medical racism, as well as social and cultural ideas about who deserves quality healthcare.
Raising awareness of relevant and informed care and information
This is a great idea! Unfortunately, menopause (and all the stages) is severely under-researched and under-prioritized in healthcare. Discussing what you're going through with healthcare providers is sometimes not enough to increase your understanding of what is going on with your body and how to manage it. Having conversations with friends and family who have likely had, or will eventually have, similar experiences is what helps raise awareness of these issues!
You may also be able to find other resources online or in your community. It is becoming increasingly common for people to use telehealth resources. Here's a great resource for finding the best fit for you!
Raising awareness of relevant and informed care and information
That's a shame... Just because something isn't commonly discussed or prioritized doesn't mean it's not important! Menopause is severely under-researched and under-prioritized in healthcare. Discussing what you're going through with healthcare providers, friends, and family can help increase understanding and awareness of this issue!
You may also be able to find other resources online or in your community. It is becoming increasingly common for people to use telehealth resources. Here's a great resource for finding the best fit for you!
Consequences of not being able to access basic reproductive and sexual healthcare
Not having insurance or healthcare benefits can be detrimental to people's lives! The U.S. medical system is framed to benefit those who have access to benefits or can afford to pay out of pocket for healthcare and resources. Finding methods of strengthening the medical system to support populations who do not have benefits would likely decrease the number of people who become pregnant unintentionally, which could also reduce the number of people seeking abortions.Additionally, lower socioeconomic groups and racially marginalized groups who become pregnant, whether they seek an abortion or not, are disproportionately criminalized and stigmatized. The narratives that circulate society, culture, and political discourse have great impacts on how these communities are perceived and treated, as these informal narratives directly influence formal systems such as education, healthcare, and government legislation. In Mexico, the ILE program helps low-income communities access reproductive and sexual health care and resources to help improve healthcare coverage and access. However, public healthcare programs such as ILE are generally underfunded, understaffed, and have access to limited resources. The U.S. should prioritize building more programs to help vulnerable and marginalized populations access fundamental healthcare.
Consequences of not being able to access basic reproductive and sexual healthcare
Luckily, there are government programs, such as Medicaid, that help low-income populations access contraception and other fundamental reproductive care. There are also numerous non-governmental organizations that help provide low-cost birth control for those who need it! Finding methods of strengthening the medical system to support populations who do not have benefits would give people the freedom to achieve their reproductive and sexual health desires, as well as reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions.Additionally, lower socioeconomic groups and racially marginalized groups who become pregnant, whether they seek an abortion or not, are disproportionately criminalized and stigmatized. The narratives that circulate society, culture, and political discourse have great impacts on how these communities are perceived and treated, as these informal narratives directly influence formal systems such as education, healthcare, and government legislation.
Unfortunately, public healthcare programs are generally underfunded, understaffed, and have access to limited resources. Here is a resource for finding affordable birth control options!
Mistreatment and wrongful assumptions in reproductive and sexual healthcare
Although you may not know a lot about reproduction and medical knowledge, you still have the right to have the ability to make informed decisions without being pressured by healthcare workers. It is extremely inappropriate for a healthcare professional to make such a drastic decision without getting firm approval a procedure as serious as tubal litigation. Your doctor may be more knowledgeable about the dangers of abnormal health issues, but you deserve to make informed and consensual decisions about your body!Unfortunately, women of color, especially Black women, non-English speaking populations, and low-socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere due to assumptions about deservingness and value, and discriminatory narratives. Not only are these populations overly criminalized and stigmatized for their reproductive desires and outcomes, but they are also perceived poorly in healthcare due to long-standing practices that use race as a proxy for medical measures. This is also tied to ideas about these populations being unable or unfit to parent and make their own reproductive decisions. Reforming healthcare to be more conscious and aware of these narratives, culturally relevant to the experiences of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and directly combat them with counter-narratives and true measures of healthcare for all is critical for dismantling these harmful systems.
Mistreatment and wrongful assumptions in reproductive and sexual healthcare
It is extremely inappropriate for a healthcare professional to make such a drastic decision without having an informed and consensual conversation with the patient, and getting firm approval for wanting this procedure. Although this should not be the norm, many marginalized and stigmatized communities face discrimination and coercion due to intersecting identities and assumptions about who deserves to make autonomous decisions in healthcare.Women of color, especially Black women, non-English speaking populations, and low-socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere on assumptions of value and deservingness. Not only are these populations criminalized and stigmatized for their reproductive desires and outcomes, but they are also perceived poorly informally and formally in healthcare due to long-standing practices that use race as a proxy for medical measures. This is also tied to ideas about these populations being unable or unfit to parent and make their own reproductive decisions. Reforming healthcare to be more conscious and aware of these narratives, culturally relevant to the experiences of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and directly combat them with counter-narratives and true measures of healthcare for all is critical for dismantling these harmful systems.
Detriments of sexuality-based medical discrimination
Unfortunately, it is still very common for same-sex couples and non-married individuals to be turned away from receiving access to artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs). Although same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S., some healthcare providers still refuse to assist these populations due to harmful and homophobic narratives and ideals. Fortunately, there are a lot of other providers who do support these reproductive desires. However, it is important to note that a lot of these resources and procedures are expensive and not covered by insurance, which disproportionately discourages and interferes with certain people's ability to create their own families.This demonstrates how the medical system and reproduction itself are designed to benefit cisgender, heterosexual, fertile, and wealthy populations, and in so discriminate against anyone who does not meet these standards. Our infrastructure and biology are fit to support the desires of the so-called 'normative' population, which reifies harmful narratives about deservingness and value, not just in reproduction. Encouraging the narrative that all bodies are valuable and able bodies deserving to fulfill their reproductive and lifestyle desires is a simple way of disputing these harmful and discriminatory ideas. Reforming our infrastructures to be more inclusive, accessible, and affordable is extremely important for validating various identities and desires.
Detriments of sexuality-based medical discrimination
Adoption is a great alternative, especially for those who may not have access to artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs) or the financial means to do so. However, wanting your create familiarity in your family is valid and important! Unfortunately, it is still very common for same-sex couples and non-married individuals to be turned away from receiving access to ARTs. Although same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S., some healthcare providers still refuse to assist these populations due to harmful and homophobic narratives and ideals. Fortunately, there are a lot of other providers who do support these reproductive desires.This demonstrates how the medical system and reproduction itself are designed to benefit cisgender, heterosexual, fertile, and wealthy populations, and in so discriminate against anyone who does not meet these standards. Our infrastructure and biology are fit to support the desires of the so-called 'normative' population, which reifies harmful narratives about deservingness and value, not just in reproduction. Encouraging the narrative that all bodies are valuable and able bodies deserving to fulfill their reproductive and lifestyle desires is a simple way of disputing these harmful and discriminatory ideas. Reforming our infrastructures to be more inclusive, accessible, and affordable is extremely important for validating various identities and desires.
Detriments of medical racism
Your doctor should have 100% taken these symptoms and concerns seriously. HELLP syndrome is very serious and the doctors should have caught onto this issue if they were truly examining her vitals. Although this could happen to anyone, it could have likely been dismissed due to medical racism instilled in the staff and in medicine as a whole. The rate of maternal mortality for Black women is 5x higher than their white counterparts.Women of color, especially Black women, are disproportionately mistreated and undermined in healthcare. Assumptions instilled since enslavement about muscle mass, genetic traits, enzyme level, pain tolerance, and more are attributed to medical racism in America. The medical system has used race as a proxy for other important medical measures based on harmful and false ideas about biology and race. This places the lives of these populations in immense danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes. There is a dire need for social, cultural, and institutional change to dismantle these damaging and life-threatening narratives and practices in healthcare. There is also a need to spread awareness of this epidemic of women of color experiencing negligence and inequality in maternal care to humanize these women and fundamentally improve their care.
Detriments of medical racism
Regardless of whether or not a concern is 'normal', your doctor should still take them seriously and ensure there are no underlying issues that could result in dangerous or abnormal health outcomes. HELLP syndrome is very serious and the doctors should have caught onto this issue if they were truly examining her vitals. Although this could happen to anyone, it may have been dismissed due to medical racism instilled in the staff and in medicine as a whole. The rate of maternal mortality for Black women is 5x higher than their white counterparts.Women of color, especially Black women, are disproportionately mistreated and undermined in the medical sphere. Assumptions about muscle mass, genetic traits, enzyme level, pain tolerance, and more are attributed to the medical racism that has been instilled since enslavement. The medical system has used race as a proxy for other important medical measures based on harmful and false ideas about biology and race. This places the lives of these populations in immense danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes. There is a dire need for social, cultural, and institutional change to dismantle these damaging and life-threatening narratives and practices in healthcare. There is also a need to spread awareness of this epidemic of women of color experiencing negligence and inequality in maternal care to humanize these women and fundamentally improve their care.
Repro decisions escape room
Celia Duggan
Created on April 14, 2024
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Transcript
Reproductive and Sexual Health and Experiences Escape Room
ANTH 376 Final Project - Celia Duggan
start
Introduction
This "escape room" is meant to be a fun, unique, and interactive way to demonstrate how reproductive and sexual health and rights are impacted by various formal and informal systems in the United States, such as medical and educational infrastructures and sociopolitical norms and expectations.
This game will take you through common experiences, life events, obstacles, and choices that Americans with varying familial desires, lifestyles, positions in society, and identities face regarding their reproductive and sexual health. You will be given short circumstances and choices to choose from regarding these short descriptions. There are no right or wrong answers! The choices you make will prompt follow-up info boxes about both positive and negative aspects of reproductive and sexual health care and rights regarding these experiences, as well as solutions and methods of rebuilding medical, educational, governmental, and societal infrastructures.
This game is inspired by material from an Anthropology of Reproduction course at JMU and interviews conducted with three women working in women's, gender, sexuality, and reproductive justice political and educational advocacy spheres.
By connecting interview content to class materials (such as Davis, Keaney, Dixon, Casteñeda, Singer, Dorothy Roberts' TedTalk, and the Aftershock film), I hope to raise awareness of structural and sociopolitical barriers to accessing reproductive and sexual health care and education. The three interviews shed light on the lack of intersectional, inclusive, and culturally relevant approaches to healthcare, education, and policy, which greatly impact how people live their lives, access healthcare and medical resources, are supported by formal and informal systems, and confront reproductive and sexual experiences.
Through this project, I hope to highlight the need for comprehensive sexual and reproductive education, transparency, support, and better infrastructure in healthcare, and raising awareness of the lived realities of vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Education
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Education
Menu
It’s time for health class! Your teacher reminds you that this is the start of your reproductive and sexual health unit. You’re allowed to opt out of the lessons but need a parent’s permission to do so. Do you think these lessons are important? Or do you ask your parent(s) to sign the opt-out form?
No, these health lessons are important for understanding my body and learning about reproduction!
Yes, these lessons make me uncomfortable and I don’t need to know about them.
No, these lessons are not very informative about contraception, consent, and pregnancy prevention, but I don’t feel the need to opt out of them.
Education
Menu
Your child just turned 2 years old! Some of your friends who also have children have started teaching their kids about boundaries, consent, and anatomy. Do you think these are important and necessary topics to teach your kids at this age?
No, they are only 2 years old. They won’t understand these concepts anyway.
Yes, these are super important for kids to learn at a young age! But how should we go about this?
Topics
Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
Access
Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Advocacy and Awareness
Menu
You have a friend who just had a baby and experienced some complications that led to her having a C-section. Despite this, your friend (the mother) was only required to come in for 1 follow-up appointment 6 weeks after the birth. Your friend is worried about further complications and has voiced concern about being in a lot of pain despite the doctor's positive attitude about the procedure and the medications she's been prescribed. Should you be concerned? Do you think your friend should seek further support?
My friend and her baby are likely still healthy! The doctor would have told her if the medication or procedure had any negative side effects.
Maybe she should seek advice or care from another doctor... Despite the lack of concern from the one doctor, she should make sure there is nothing else wrong with her or the baby!
Advocacy and Awareness
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You recently discovered your body started undergoing menopause. You notice a few symptoms you have seem uncommon, as none of your friends or family members have talked about experiencing them, but you only remember ever hearing about hot flashes, irregular bleeding, and mood changes. You're scared to ask your friends because you don't want them to think something is wrong with you, but your doctor has not been very helpful either. What are your next steps? Are these symptoms normal?
I should do some more research, ask my friends and family, and maybe try to find another healthcare resource that focuses on menopause and reproductive care specifically.
I'm sure my symptoms are normal. I guess I'll just have to adapt and live with them!
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Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
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You live in a rural area and have very little access to healthcare resources and facilities due to distance and scarcity. You find out you're about 5 weeks pregnant and feel you may be unable to take care of a child safely and efficiently. Because of the state you live in, you'll have to find an abortion facility within the next week to get a legal abortion. What do you do?
The likelyhood of accessing an abortion within a week is almost impossible. Although I am not financially or mentally prepared to have a child, I will carry out the pregnancy.
I will travel to the nearest clinic to try and have an abortion. I know state legislation could bar me from recieving this care, but I have to at least try!
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You've had multiple pregnancies via C-section and are about to have your 3rd child. You end up having to go to the hospital for an emergency C-section due to complications. The nurses give you the epidural and are about to start the procedure, but you notice you can still feel a large section of your legs. You keep telling them you aren't fully numb and the medical staff continues to dismiss your concerns. How do you successfully advocate for yourself in this situation? Or what other ways could someone potentially avoid something like this from happening?
I continue to tell them I'm not ready for the procedure, but they are still dismissive, as they want to make sure they deliver the baby as soon as possible. My partner also raises their voice and they finally agreed to give me more medication before proceeding.
I hire a midwife or doula to be an advocate for me during my birth process. Having a healthcare professional like this is important because they are more knowledgeable about what is common and abnormal than I do. They can communicate with other doctors to ensure the baby and I are both safe.
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Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
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Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
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You're a 23-year-old, one-income parent with no health benefits. You have 2 children and are not in a place where you can financially support another if you were to get pregnant. You are looking to find a form of birth control that works for you, but without insurance, they're all so expensive!
If I can't afford any of the birth control options that are available to me, I'll just take the risk and hope I don't get pregnant!
I should talk to my doctor about potential ways to access this care! There might be programs or providers out there that help with cost reductions or waivers.
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
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You're 38 weeks pregnant when you discover you have a severe subchorionic hemorrhage. Your doctor urges you to come to the hospital for an emergency C-section. As the nurses are prepping you for surgery, the doctor brings in a form for you to sign agreeing to the surgery. When you take a closer look, you see they have already checked the box for you to have your tubes tied. The doctor explains they believe you could have more complications in future pregnancies, but also that because you are below the poverty line, it could ensure you wouldn't have to worry about becoming pregnant again.
The doctor should not have done that without discussing potential options or getting my consent!
The doctor may have a point. I don't know if I would be able to afford another child and I don't know the risks of getting pregnant after having a severe subchorionic hemorrhage.
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Choose from these topics to learn more about how intersecting identities, cultural relvance, formal and informal systems, and storytelling informs people's reproductive and sexual experiences
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Advocacy and Awareness
Education
Medical Discrimination
Ideas of Value and Deservingness
Medical Discrimination
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You are in a same-sex couple and want to have a baby! You decide to pursue a form of artificial insemination using your egg because you want the child to have genetic and familial characteristics. When you arrive at the local clinic, you're met with refusal due to your sexual identity and non-marital status. How do you navigate this? Should you just adopt instead?
There are so many other clinics that can help us achieve our reproductive desires. It is frustrating and unfortunate that providers still discriminate based on sexuality and marital status.
I guess we will adopt instead. Artifical reproductive technologies are expensive anyway.
Medical Discrimination
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Towards the end of your wife's entire pregnancy, she began experiencing trouble breathing, dizziness, headaches, and other concerning symptoms. All her doctors dismissed them as being regular pregnancy symptoms. When you finally consulted a midwife, they voiced a very large concern about her platelet numbers, which had been decreasing throughout the pregnancy. They determined she had HELLP syndrome, which is very severe and can cause maternal mortality, and were forced to induce and rush her into labor.Could this have been prevented?
It is important to note in this scenario that your wife is a Black woman.
I'm sure the doctors were making sure all her levels were fine and that these symptoms likely show up in other pregnancies with no complications. We just got super unlucky.
This could have definitely been prevented. The doctors ignored our concerns and did not take us seriously. This could have been prevented!
Here's a resource to learn more about HELLP syndrome.
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Congratulations, you've completed the game! I hope you learned more about how institutions in the United States shape people's reproductive and sexual health perspectives and experiences, as well as what we can do to change both the formal and informal factors that induce harmful narratives and systems.
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Consequences of unintended pregnancies without access to proper healthcare
Because you live in a rural area with limited resources that are already restricted, the options you may have for receiving proper and safe reproductive care are already limited. The consequences of these situations can be dire for all reproducing populations, especially low socioeconomic populations and people of color. Living in rural and restrictive states causes an increase in abnormal and dangerous birth outcomes, especially when people are barred from accessing abortion, an extremely important and critical form of reproductive care in certain situations, not just to terminate unintended pregnancies.Additionally, being unable or unwilling to care for a child can have detrimental affects on both the parent(s) and child(ren). Firstly, it is unfair and unjust to force people to carry out a pregnancy if that is not their desire. This can cause parents to harbor animosity towards their children, can cause families to have limited resources and struggle to financially support their families, and can hinder the child's development. Ultimately, accessing abortion and other reproductive and sexual healthcare is critical for ensuring bodily autonomy and the matter of choice is left up to those experiencing these events, as situations and circumstances vary for all people.
Importance of Early Sex Education
Great! Being exposed to sex education helps children and teenagers be prepared for life. Sex and intimacy is generally inevitable, and proper sex education helps people practice safe sex and know their options for contraception, STI prevention, and reproductive and sexual healthcare.However, these lessons are often abstinence-based, which generally does not educate people about the risks of and what sex may look like for different people. Using an intersectional and safe-based approach, sex education can be more informative for people with varying sexual and gender identities, as these experiences are not all the same!
Consequences of restrictive legislation and accessing reproductive healthcare
An influential aspect as to why some people may not seek an abortion, especially in a restrictive state, is due to the lack of quality access they have (or do not have) nearby. Firstly, taking time to travel and even take off of work may not be an option for some people, as they can't afford the loss of income or expenses it may take to get to their destination. Additionally, these economic factors may contribute to the financial marginalization regarding prenatal care, birthing, and postnatal care if they do continue their pregnancy. Secondly, people may travel to these clinics just to be met with criticism, coercion, and discrimination based on their position in society, their race, their sexual or gender identity, their ability, and many other factors.The impact of restrictive legislation can be dire, as it impacts a person's ability to make autonomous decisions about their own life and familial desires. It also undermines and ignores the multitude of situations that people are placed in that may have caused them to become pregnant or want to terminate their pregnancy. Ultimately, states with abortion restrictions and bans cause people to seek other methods of termination that are more dangerous and can cause abnormal health outcomes. Reforming legislation to regard individual circumstances, choices, and autonomy is critical for prioritizing the well-being of all Americans, but especially those who reproduce.
Importance of Early Sex Education
While some people may not think early sex education is important, proper sex education helps children and growing teenagers understand anatomy, consent, how to practice safe sex (such as STI prevention and contraception), and your options for reproductive and sexual healthcare. Having these lessons properly implemented and taught to kids and teenagers is vital for helping them remain aware and safe! It is also critical to do so in a way that is culturally relevant, uses intersectionality, and considers varying gender and sexuality identities. Contrasingly, some parents may have their kids opt out of these lessons because of the lack of proper and relevant education, which may reify harmful narratives around reproduction and sexual health. Something to think about!
Importance of educating young children
Although it may not seem important, teaching children about consent, setting boundaries, anatomy, and regulating their emotions are super important for safety and development. This can be connected to early sexual and reproductive health and education.Many communities of color find themselves teaching their children about these topic areas due to the adultification and hypersexualization of children of color. It's important to acknowledge these harmful narratives, but it can also be a lesson to other communities about the importance of this education to ensure kids are safe and understand how to advocate for themselves.
Importance of Early Sex Education
This can be true depending on how curriculum is structured! Implementing an intersectional, culturally relevant, and inclusive approach in sex education is critical for validating varying gender and sexual identities and the unique lived experiences of all!These lessons are so important for helping people understand their own bodies, as well as how to navigate and practice safe reproductive and sexual health and rights.
Importance of educating young children
Awesome! A great way to implement these teachings in your child's daily life is by finding and reading them books that touch on these issues. Children's books can help kids learn and understand these concepts in a familiar and simple way while still providing valuable lessons!
It is important to note that children's books have gotten much more diverse, descriptive, and inclusive over time. You can visit this website for a list of books on these topics!
Consequences of not being informed or able to self-advocate in healthcare
Unfortunately, many people are not very educated on pregnancy and birthing processes, even when they're the ones experiencing them! It is also very common for medical professionals to not explain procedures or what may be going on in simple terms that the average person can understand. Or, when people do try to advocate for themselves and believe something may be wrong, medical teams may be dismissive (such as in this case!). The assumption of knowledgeability and the prioritization of the baby's life during birth and pregnancy undermines the health and safety of the person who is giving birth.The concept of making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth touches on this, highlighting the need for women and birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them properly, and be as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. Redistributing this power and creating agency for people to advocate for themselves in healthcare is critical for maintaining trust, accountability, and positive outcomes. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.Additionally, Black women and women of color are disproportionately treated inferiorly in the medical sphere. There is a long history of Black patients being undermined in this field due to the assumption that their pain tolerance is higher simply based on skin color and genetics. This is untrue! This is also an example of race as a proxy, which places lives in danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes.
Consequences of not being informed or able to self-advocate in healthcare
For those who can afford to hire a doula or midwife, or access another non-traditional healthcare resource, this is a great option if you are feeling unsure about your knowledge or abilities to advocate for yourself during such a vulnerable process. However, many people who need this resource most are those who cannot access or afford it. These resources can be important for supporting new families and mothers after birth as well!Black women and women of color are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere. There is a long history of Black patients being undermined in this field due to the assumption that their pain tolerance is higher simply based on skin color and genetics. This is untrue! This is also an example of race as a proxy, which places lives in danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes.Additionally, supporting women and making them the protagonists in pregnancy and birth highlights the need for women and birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them properly, and be as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. Redistributing this power and creating agency for people to advocate for themselves in healthcare is critical for maintaining trust, accountability, and positive outcomes. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.
Raising awareness about potential side effects of reproductive care and procedures
There is often this narrative that women and birth givers should trust their doctors and allow some time to pass before seeing a doctor about pain, discomfort, or concerns. Although this could be true with minor concerns, birth and reproduction concerns are super important and should be taken seriously! Oftentimes, people run into concerns and 'uncommon' health issues simply due to the lack of transparency or awareness that is provided by healthcare institutions regarding the potential side effects of medication and procedures.A way to prevent these issues from occurring is by making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth. Having birth givers and women feel heard, having things explained to them transparently and effectively, and being made as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability is extremely important for supporting people during heightened vulnerability. Doing this also influences how women and birth givers are perceived in society, not just in reproductive contexts.It is also important to note that populations of color, non-English speaking populations, and low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in healthcare, This stems from medical racism, as well as social and cultural ideas about who deserves quality healthcare.
Raising awareness about potential side effects of reproductive care and procedures
That's great advice! You can never be too careful when it comes to reproductive care, especially after a serious procedure such as a C-section. These types of care are very normalized in our society, and there is often a lack of transparency about what goes into this and what the recovery can look like. If your friend is experiencing pain post-birth and doesn't know why, they should definitely see someone! Birth and reproduction concerns are super important and should be taken seriously! The average person is likely uneducated about certain medications and procedures, but they should not have to pry about why they may be experiencing issues! It's important to hold the medical system accountable and advocate for yourself!However, people should not have to constantly speak up for themselves about issues they experience due to a lack of care and transparency. Making women the protagonists in pregnancy and birth is important for creating spaces for birth givers to feel heard, have things explained to them transparently and effectively, and be made as comfortable as possible during periods of heightened vulnerability. It is also important to note that populations of color, non-English speaking populations, and low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in healthcare. This stems from medical racism, as well as social and cultural ideas about who deserves quality healthcare.
Raising awareness of relevant and informed care and information
This is a great idea! Unfortunately, menopause (and all the stages) is severely under-researched and under-prioritized in healthcare. Discussing what you're going through with healthcare providers is sometimes not enough to increase your understanding of what is going on with your body and how to manage it. Having conversations with friends and family who have likely had, or will eventually have, similar experiences is what helps raise awareness of these issues!
You may also be able to find other resources online or in your community. It is becoming increasingly common for people to use telehealth resources. Here's a great resource for finding the best fit for you!
Raising awareness of relevant and informed care and information
That's a shame... Just because something isn't commonly discussed or prioritized doesn't mean it's not important! Menopause is severely under-researched and under-prioritized in healthcare. Discussing what you're going through with healthcare providers, friends, and family can help increase understanding and awareness of this issue!
You may also be able to find other resources online or in your community. It is becoming increasingly common for people to use telehealth resources. Here's a great resource for finding the best fit for you!
Consequences of not being able to access basic reproductive and sexual healthcare
Not having insurance or healthcare benefits can be detrimental to people's lives! The U.S. medical system is framed to benefit those who have access to benefits or can afford to pay out of pocket for healthcare and resources. Finding methods of strengthening the medical system to support populations who do not have benefits would likely decrease the number of people who become pregnant unintentionally, which could also reduce the number of people seeking abortions.Additionally, lower socioeconomic groups and racially marginalized groups who become pregnant, whether they seek an abortion or not, are disproportionately criminalized and stigmatized. The narratives that circulate society, culture, and political discourse have great impacts on how these communities are perceived and treated, as these informal narratives directly influence formal systems such as education, healthcare, and government legislation. In Mexico, the ILE program helps low-income communities access reproductive and sexual health care and resources to help improve healthcare coverage and access. However, public healthcare programs such as ILE are generally underfunded, understaffed, and have access to limited resources. The U.S. should prioritize building more programs to help vulnerable and marginalized populations access fundamental healthcare.
Consequences of not being able to access basic reproductive and sexual healthcare
Luckily, there are government programs, such as Medicaid, that help low-income populations access contraception and other fundamental reproductive care. There are also numerous non-governmental organizations that help provide low-cost birth control for those who need it! Finding methods of strengthening the medical system to support populations who do not have benefits would give people the freedom to achieve their reproductive and sexual health desires, as well as reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions.Additionally, lower socioeconomic groups and racially marginalized groups who become pregnant, whether they seek an abortion or not, are disproportionately criminalized and stigmatized. The narratives that circulate society, culture, and political discourse have great impacts on how these communities are perceived and treated, as these informal narratives directly influence formal systems such as education, healthcare, and government legislation.
Unfortunately, public healthcare programs are generally underfunded, understaffed, and have access to limited resources. Here is a resource for finding affordable birth control options!
Mistreatment and wrongful assumptions in reproductive and sexual healthcare
Although you may not know a lot about reproduction and medical knowledge, you still have the right to have the ability to make informed decisions without being pressured by healthcare workers. It is extremely inappropriate for a healthcare professional to make such a drastic decision without getting firm approval a procedure as serious as tubal litigation. Your doctor may be more knowledgeable about the dangers of abnormal health issues, but you deserve to make informed and consensual decisions about your body!Unfortunately, women of color, especially Black women, non-English speaking populations, and low-socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere due to assumptions about deservingness and value, and discriminatory narratives. Not only are these populations overly criminalized and stigmatized for their reproductive desires and outcomes, but they are also perceived poorly in healthcare due to long-standing practices that use race as a proxy for medical measures. This is also tied to ideas about these populations being unable or unfit to parent and make their own reproductive decisions. Reforming healthcare to be more conscious and aware of these narratives, culturally relevant to the experiences of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and directly combat them with counter-narratives and true measures of healthcare for all is critical for dismantling these harmful systems.
Mistreatment and wrongful assumptions in reproductive and sexual healthcare
It is extremely inappropriate for a healthcare professional to make such a drastic decision without having an informed and consensual conversation with the patient, and getting firm approval for wanting this procedure. Although this should not be the norm, many marginalized and stigmatized communities face discrimination and coercion due to intersecting identities and assumptions about who deserves to make autonomous decisions in healthcare.Women of color, especially Black women, non-English speaking populations, and low-socioeconomic populations are disproportionately mistreated in the medical sphere on assumptions of value and deservingness. Not only are these populations criminalized and stigmatized for their reproductive desires and outcomes, but they are also perceived poorly informally and formally in healthcare due to long-standing practices that use race as a proxy for medical measures. This is also tied to ideas about these populations being unable or unfit to parent and make their own reproductive decisions. Reforming healthcare to be more conscious and aware of these narratives, culturally relevant to the experiences of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and directly combat them with counter-narratives and true measures of healthcare for all is critical for dismantling these harmful systems.
Detriments of sexuality-based medical discrimination
Unfortunately, it is still very common for same-sex couples and non-married individuals to be turned away from receiving access to artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs). Although same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S., some healthcare providers still refuse to assist these populations due to harmful and homophobic narratives and ideals. Fortunately, there are a lot of other providers who do support these reproductive desires. However, it is important to note that a lot of these resources and procedures are expensive and not covered by insurance, which disproportionately discourages and interferes with certain people's ability to create their own families.This demonstrates how the medical system and reproduction itself are designed to benefit cisgender, heterosexual, fertile, and wealthy populations, and in so discriminate against anyone who does not meet these standards. Our infrastructure and biology are fit to support the desires of the so-called 'normative' population, which reifies harmful narratives about deservingness and value, not just in reproduction. Encouraging the narrative that all bodies are valuable and able bodies deserving to fulfill their reproductive and lifestyle desires is a simple way of disputing these harmful and discriminatory ideas. Reforming our infrastructures to be more inclusive, accessible, and affordable is extremely important for validating various identities and desires.
Detriments of sexuality-based medical discrimination
Adoption is a great alternative, especially for those who may not have access to artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs) or the financial means to do so. However, wanting your create familiarity in your family is valid and important! Unfortunately, it is still very common for same-sex couples and non-married individuals to be turned away from receiving access to ARTs. Although same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S., some healthcare providers still refuse to assist these populations due to harmful and homophobic narratives and ideals. Fortunately, there are a lot of other providers who do support these reproductive desires.This demonstrates how the medical system and reproduction itself are designed to benefit cisgender, heterosexual, fertile, and wealthy populations, and in so discriminate against anyone who does not meet these standards. Our infrastructure and biology are fit to support the desires of the so-called 'normative' population, which reifies harmful narratives about deservingness and value, not just in reproduction. Encouraging the narrative that all bodies are valuable and able bodies deserving to fulfill their reproductive and lifestyle desires is a simple way of disputing these harmful and discriminatory ideas. Reforming our infrastructures to be more inclusive, accessible, and affordable is extremely important for validating various identities and desires.
Detriments of medical racism
Your doctor should have 100% taken these symptoms and concerns seriously. HELLP syndrome is very serious and the doctors should have caught onto this issue if they were truly examining her vitals. Although this could happen to anyone, it could have likely been dismissed due to medical racism instilled in the staff and in medicine as a whole. The rate of maternal mortality for Black women is 5x higher than their white counterparts.Women of color, especially Black women, are disproportionately mistreated and undermined in healthcare. Assumptions instilled since enslavement about muscle mass, genetic traits, enzyme level, pain tolerance, and more are attributed to medical racism in America. The medical system has used race as a proxy for other important medical measures based on harmful and false ideas about biology and race. This places the lives of these populations in immense danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes. There is a dire need for social, cultural, and institutional change to dismantle these damaging and life-threatening narratives and practices in healthcare. There is also a need to spread awareness of this epidemic of women of color experiencing negligence and inequality in maternal care to humanize these women and fundamentally improve their care.
Detriments of medical racism
Regardless of whether or not a concern is 'normal', your doctor should still take them seriously and ensure there are no underlying issues that could result in dangerous or abnormal health outcomes. HELLP syndrome is very serious and the doctors should have caught onto this issue if they were truly examining her vitals. Although this could happen to anyone, it may have been dismissed due to medical racism instilled in the staff and in medicine as a whole. The rate of maternal mortality for Black women is 5x higher than their white counterparts.Women of color, especially Black women, are disproportionately mistreated and undermined in the medical sphere. Assumptions about muscle mass, genetic traits, enzyme level, pain tolerance, and more are attributed to the medical racism that has been instilled since enslavement. The medical system has used race as a proxy for other important medical measures based on harmful and false ideas about biology and race. This places the lives of these populations in immense danger and can cause detrimental abnormal health outcomes. There is a dire need for social, cultural, and institutional change to dismantle these damaging and life-threatening narratives and practices in healthcare. There is also a need to spread awareness of this epidemic of women of color experiencing negligence and inequality in maternal care to humanize these women and fundamentally improve their care.