When it comes to maternal health, there’s one truth we can’t ignore: Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die in childbirth or the postnatal period than white women. Among the causes, pre-eclampsia is one of the most silent but serious conditions — and tragically, it often gets missed.
Even today, the medical world continues to reflect a shocking lack of representation. The books we read in pregnancy, the posters on antenatal clinic walls, and the images used to teach students – until recently, they almost exclusively featured white babies. And it’s not just pregnancy books. During my training as a Podiatrist, I was struck by how little literature there was on skin conditions in darker skin tones. Skin diseases were shown and described primarily on white skin. That’s not just an oversight – it’s racial bias in plain sight.
And it has consequences. Because if you can’t see it, you can’t recognise it.
What is Pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication usually characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system – often the kidneys or liver. It typically starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been normal.
If left untreated, it can lead to serious – even life-threatening – complications for both mum and baby.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia
Some people have no symptoms at all, but here are the most common red flags:
Sudden swelling in the face, hands or feet Persistent headaches Changes in vision, like flashing lights or blurred vision Pain under the ribs, especially on the right side Sudden weight gain High blood pressure Protein in urine (usually picked up at routine checks)
Yet too often, these signs are dismissed — especially when they’re coming from Black women.
Why Does It Get Missed in Black Women?
1. Systemic Racial Bias
There’s a longstanding and well-documented issue of Black women not being believed when they say something’s wrong. Many report feeling dismissed, judged, or overlooked — even when presenting with symptoms of serious conditions.
2. Lack of Medical Representation
Most of our medical textbooks have been written with white patients in mind. Until recently, there were few (if any) images of Black babies in pregnancy books, and very little teaching on how conditions present in darker skin. I saw this first-hand in my own medical training. When I studied Podiatry, the images and resources almost never reflected diverse skin tones. This sends a clear message: you’re not the default.
3. Missed Visual Cues
Conditions like pre-eclampsia can cause physical changes — swelling, skin discolouration, or rashes — that look different depending on your skin tone. If professionals haven’t been trained to recognise those changes on darker skin, they can miss a diagnosis entirely.
The Risk is Real – and So Are the Losses
Pre-eclampsia is not just “a bit of high blood pressure”. It can lead to seizures (eclampsia), stroke, kidney or liver failure, or death — for mum or baby, or both. It’s a medical emergency, and it needs to be treated like one.
We can’t afford to keep missing it in Black women.
What Needs to Change?
More Representation: Medical books, posters, and resources must show symptoms across all skin tones and all babies. Better Training: Healthcare professionals need proper training in recognising conditions in non-white patients. Listening and Respecting: Every parent deserves to be heard. If a woman says something feels wrong, we must believe her. Challenging the Bias: From pregnancy appointments to emergency care, we must actively work to dismantle the racial bias that puts lives at risk.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Black woman reading this — or supporting one — know this: you deserve to be seen, heard, and respected. Don’t hesitate to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. If you’re not satisfied with the care you’re receiving, ask for a second opinion. It could save your life.
This conversation isn’t just about symptoms. It’s about structural change. And it starts by raising awareness — one story, one voice, one blog post at a time.
💜 Let’s stop normalising inequality. Share this with someone who needs to see it.
Like and subscribe to the blog for more honest conversations on parenting, health, and navigating the world when you’re often overlooked.
References:
Knight, M., Bunch, K., Tuffnell, D., Jayakody, H., Shakespeare, J., Kotnis, R., Kenyon, S., & Kurinczuk, J. J. (2020). MBRRACE-UK: Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care. University of Oxford. Five X More Campaign, 2022. Black Maternity Experiences Survey. NICE Guidelines [NG133] Hypertension in Pregnancy. Taylor, J.K. (2020). Structural Racism and Maternal Health Among Black Women. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. Lens, J.W. (2020). Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Reproductive Justice. Wash. UL Rev.
The bad and your parenting journey 