New documentary sheds light on epidemic of Black maternal deaths | Nightline
TLDRThe video script narrates the poignant stories of families who have lost loved ones due to maternal mortality, highlighting the disproportionate impact on black women in America. Amari Maynard, who lost her partner Shamani Gibson to a pulmonary embolism, channels her grief into creating vibrant portraits for others who have suffered similar losses. The narrative underscores the alarming maternal mortality rate among black women, who are four times more likely to die than their white counterparts, even when presenting the same symptoms. The documentary 'Aftershock,' co-directed by Paula Eiseilt and Tanya Lewis, brings attention to this health crisis and features the voices of families, healthcare providers, and activists advocating for birthing justice. The film also explores the importance of robust midwifery services and the potential for improved maternal care through alternative birthing options. Bruce McIntyre, who lost his partner Amber Rose Isaac to HELLP syndrome, is now an advocate for change and plans to open a birthing center in the Bronx, aiming to disrupt the 'assembly line model of care' and promote birthing equity. The script calls for accountability and an end to the embedded racism in the healthcare system, urging a collective effort to prevent preventable maternal deaths.
Takeaways
- 🎨 Amari Maynard creates beautiful portraits for families who have lost their loved ones, turning dark emotions into vibrant art.
- 📅 On September 23, 2019, Amari's partner, Shamani Gibson, tragically passed away from a pulmonary embolism, a preventable condition if treated properly.
- 🚑 Despite calling hospitals and reporting symptoms, Shamani's condition was initially dismissed, highlighting a lack of urgency and attention to her health concerns.
- 🤰 Black women in America are four times more likely to die from childbirth-related issues than their white counterparts, pointing to a significant health disparity.
- 📈 The maternal mortality rate is a growing epidemic, with many men becoming single fathers due to the loss of their partners during childbirth.
- 📚 A new Hulu documentary, 'Aftershock,' produced by Disney's Onyx Collective and ABC News Studios, focuses on this health crisis and the fight for birthing justice.
- 🤰🏻 Maternal health is not just a woman's issue but also an infant's, father's, and family issue, as emphasized by the documentary's co-director, Paula Eiseilt.
- 🏥 Bruce McIntyre, who lost his partner Amber Rose Isaac, is now advocating for better maternal healthcare after experiencing the healthcare system's shortcomings.
- 💡 Dr. Neil Shaw from Harvard Medical School is working to improve communication and teamwork in the healthcare system to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
- 🏢 Montefiore Hospital, where Amber received care, has denied any wrongdoing and stated that their maternal mortality rate is lower than both New York City and national averages.
- 🌱 Bruce McIntyre is planning to open a birthing center in the Bronx to provide better care and solutions for childbirth, moving away from the 'assembly line model' of care.
- ✊ Families affected by maternal mortality are turning their pain into activism, seeking accountability and change in the healthcare system to prevent further tragedies.
Q & A
What is the primary motivation behind Amari Maynard creating portraits for families who have lost their loved ones?
-Amari Maynard creates portraits as a way to transform dark emotions into beautiful and vibrant pieces of art, which serves as a tangible way for her to see growth and cope with the pain of losing her partner, Shamani Gibson.
What was the cause of Shamani Gibson's death?
-Shamani Gibson tragically died from a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. This condition can be treated if discovered and addressed in time.
Why is the maternal mortality rate a significant issue in the African American community?
-The maternal mortality rate is a significant issue because black women are four times more likely to die than their white counterparts, even when presenting the same symptoms. This disparity is often attributed to systemic racism and a lack of proper medical attention.
What is the focus of the Hulu documentary 'Aftershock'?
-The documentary 'Aftershock' focuses on the health crisis of maternal mortality, profiling families, healthcare providers, and activists fighting for birthing justice and better maternal care.
How did Paula Eiseilt, the co-director and producer of 'Aftershock', connect with the issue of maternal health?
-Paula Eiseilt connected with the issue of maternal health both professionally and personally, being pregnant during filming and drawing from her own experiences to understand the issue intimately.
What was the cause of Amber Rose Isaac's death?
-Amber Rose Isaac died from HELLP syndrome, a pregnancy complication that could have been treated if caught early. Her symptoms were initially taken lightly, and by the time they were taken seriously, it was too late.
What is the current status of Amber's family's lawsuit with Montefiore Hospital?
-Amber's family is in an ongoing lawsuit with Montefiore Hospital, which has denied any wrongdoing. The hospital has released a statement defending its maternal mortality rate, which is lower than both New York City and national averages.
Why is Bruce McIntyre hoping to open a birthing center in the Bronx?
-Bruce McIntyre wants to open a birthing center to provide better birthing solutions and to move away from the assembly line model of care, aiming to improve birthing equity and outcomes in his community.
What is the significance of the statement 'no woman should be dying in childbirth in 2022'?
-The statement emphasizes the urgency and unacceptability of maternal deaths during childbirth in the modern era, highlighting the need for systemic changes and improvements in healthcare to prevent such tragedies.
According to Dr. Neil Shaw, what is the root cause of many maternal deaths?
-Dr. Neil Shaw suggests that many maternal deaths are not caused by the clinical condition listed on the death certificate, but rather by a failure of communication and teamwork within the healthcare system.
What does the 2018 study mentioned in the script indicate about midwifery services and maternal care?
-The 2018 study indicates that U.S. states with more robust midwifery services report better maternal care and better birthing outcomes, suggesting a correlation between resources dedicated to healthcare and improved results.
How does the documentary 'Aftershock' aim to contribute to the fight for birthing justice?
-The documentary aims to raise awareness about the issue of maternal mortality, particularly among black women, and to inspire change by showcasing the stories of families affected, healthcare providers, and activists working towards birthing justice.
Outlines
🎨 Artistic Tribute to Lost Loved Ones
Amari Maynard, a grieving partner, creates vibrant and beautiful portraits for families who have lost their loved ones. Despite the pain, Amari transforms dark emotions into art, symbolizing growth. The narrative recounts the tragic loss of Amari's partner, Shamani Gibson, who died from a pulmonary embolism just two weeks after giving birth to their son, Kari. The story highlights the alarming maternal mortality rate among black women in America, which is four times higher than that of their white counterparts. The documentary 'Aftershock,' released by Disney's Onyx Collective and ABC News Studios, brings attention to this health crisis and features the stories of families, healthcare providers, and activists advocating for birthing justice.
🖼️ Portraits and the Pursuit of Change
Following the loss of Shamani, Amari and other bereaved individuals find solace and purpose in reaching out to others in similar situations. Amari paints portraits as gifts, symbolizing the shared experience of loss. The narrative also touches on the ongoing lawsuit of Amber Rose's family against Montefiore Hospital, which disputes any wrongdoing and cites a low maternal mortality rate. Dr. Neil Shaw from Harvard Medical School discusses the preventable nature of many maternal deaths, emphasizing the need for improved communication and teamwork in healthcare. The importance of considering various birthing options is highlighted, with a 2018 study suggesting that states with robust midwifery services have better maternal care outcomes. Bruce McIntyre, who lost his partner Amber, is inspired to open a birthing center in the Bronx to improve birthing equity. The story calls for accountability and an end to racial disparities in maternal healthcare, with the hope of no woman dying in childbirth in the future.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Maternal Mortality
💡Pulmonary Embolism
💡Birthing Justice
💡Maternal Health
💡Systemic Racism
💡Midwifery
💡Health Equity
💡Documentary
💡Activism
💡Preventable Deaths
Highlights
Amari Maynard creates beautiful and vibrant portraits from dark emotions, providing a tangible way to see growth after personal loss.
Shamani Gibson, Amari's partner, tragically died from a pulmonary embolism, a condition that can be treated if discovered and treated properly.
Maternal mortality rates are higher for Black women in America, who are four times more likely to die than their white counterparts with the same symptoms.
The documentary 'Aftershock' focuses on the health crisis of maternal mortality, profiling families, healthcare providers, and activists fighting for birthing justice.
Co-director Paula Eiseilt was pregnant during filming, offering a personal perspective on maternal health as an issue affecting families, infants, and fathers.
Bruce McIntyre, who lost his partner Amber Rose Isaac, highlights the importance of taking Black women's health concerns seriously to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Amber Rose Isaac's family is in an ongoing lawsuit with Montefiore Hospital, which has denied any wrongdoing and stated its maternal mortality rate is lower than both New York City and National averages.
60% of maternal deaths are preventable, often resulting from a failure of communication and teamwork in healthcare settings.
Dr. Neil Shaw of Harvard Medical School is working to build more equity and trust in the healthcare system to address the preventable maternal deaths.
A 2018 study found that U.S. states with more robust midwifery services reported better maternal care and birthing outcomes.
Bruce McIntyre plans to open a birthing center in the Bronx to provide better birthing solutions and redirect the course of birthing equity.
The documentary 'Aftershock' emphasizes the need for accountability and the end of racism embedded in the healthcare system.
Families affected by maternal mortality are turning their pain into activism, seeking to bring their loved ones' stories to life and prevent future tragedies.
The film 'Aftershock' is now streaming on Hulu, providing a platform for the stories and activism of those affected by maternal mortality.
Amari Maynard and Bruce McIntyre, both members of a group no one wants to join, are reaching out to other men who have experienced similar losses.
Amari Maynard is painting portraits as presents for those who share similar experiences, turning his personal tragedy into a means of support for others.
The documentary highlights the importance of considering alternative birthing options, such as births at a birthing center with a midwife and a doula.
The film 'Aftershock' aims to expose the medical industry's role in maternal mortality and calls for an end to the unacceptable deaths of women in childbirth.
Transcripts
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