TRIGGER WARNING: this episode includes discussion of maternal and neonatal death, birth trauma, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and obstetric emergencies.Racial disparity in maternity and fertility care isn’t a US problem “over there” – it’s happening in British hospitals, clinics and labour wards every day. In this powerful conversation, Natalie and Somaya are joined by midwife and clinical coordinator Hannah King to unpack how racism and structural bias show up in pregnancy, birth, IVF access and early parenting – and what that actually looks like in real women’s lives and careers.Hannah draws on 16 years of midwifery experience, her work with Midwives Against Racism, Birthrights, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the Ockenden Review to explain why Black and Brown women and their babies are still more likely to die, to be ignored, and to leave maternity services deeply traumatised – and what needs to change.Along the way, Somaya shares her own deeply personal story of ectopic pregnancy, haemorrhage, “defensive” care and learning to advocate for in the system.In this episode, we talk about:The MBRRACE-UK findings and what it means that Black women have historically been around five times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth – and are still almost three times more likely to die today.How Hannah, as a white midwife, came to co-found Midwives Against Racism – and why allyship from white clinicians matters.What Hannah sees on the ward: high-dependency rooms full of women of colour and disproportionate neonatal deaths in babies of colour.Why it’s rarely about one “racist” individual – and much more about system design, bias and necropolitics.How Eurocentric healthcare, biased equipment (like pulse oximeters on darker skin), and institutional distrust shape outcomes.The “strong Black woman” trope, pain relief disparities and why some women of colour are still being denied or not offered epidurals.The impact of internalised racism and misogyny – including discrimination coming from professionals of colour.The importance of diversity in senior NHS leadership (those “Snowy White Peaks”) to drive real systemic change.How racism and bias also show up in fertility: delayed referrals, reduced IVF access and higher rates of loss for Black and South Asian women.Power imbalances in clinical encounters and how trauma from fertility journeys walks into the labour ward with you.Somaya’s stories:Two ectopic pregnancies, misdiagnosis, and being given somebody else’s blood results.A major obstetric haemorrhage after a “perfect” birth, and how that shaped her next pregnancy and labour.Being labelled high-risk due to age, IVF and heritage – and learning to insist on being heard.Why doulas (especially doulas of colour) can be a vital protective layer and advocacy voice in labour.Your legal right to decline tests, examinations, inductions and interventions – and what consent should really look like, including key human rights principles in maternity care.“Geriatric” pregnancies / pregnancy at 35+ what the risks actually are, and what’s more about culture than evidence.How fragmented the system can be when moving from fertility clinics (including overseas clinics) into NHS maternity care, and the role of the UK fertility regulator, the HFEA.Why better, trauma-informed postnatal and health visitor care, and meaningful paternity leave, are not “nice to haves” but essential public health measures.Guest Bio (short) Hannah King is a mother of three, a midwife and labour ward clinical coordinator with over 16 years’ midwifery experience. She is co-founder of Midwives Against Racism, a collective dedicated to examining evidence around medical racism and delivering anti-racism workshops to obstetric teams across the UK. Hannah is an Associate Trainer for the charity Birthrights, delivering training on human rights in maternity care, and a Clinical Advisor to both the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the Ockenden Review. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and is working towards a doctorate examining racial disparities in British newborns. Her passion for equitable, culturally safe care for all has led to her role as UK Midwifery Lead for the Maternal Health Programme with Children, Not Numbers. About King’s Fertility (Sponsor): One of London’s most respected IVF clinics, working with King’s College Hospital and King’s College London. King’s Fertility offers NHS and private patients world-leading research, advanced treatment, and compassionate care.Learn more at kingsfertility.co.ukResources & Links MentionedMidwives Against Racism (Instagram) – evidence-based posts on medical racism and antiracist maternity care https://www.instagram.com/midwivesagainstracism/Birthrights – Human Rights in Pregnancy & Childbirth (advice, factsheets, training and campaigns) https://birthrights.org.uk/Birthrights – Your ...
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