This book offers a profound exploration of obstetric racism, illuminating the systemic inequities that Black women face during childbirth in the U.S. healthcare system. By applying a Black feminist framework, Dr. Karen A. Scott effectively critiques traditional paradigms of obstetric care, revealing how they perpetuate harm and neglect the voices of Black mothers. She introduces the SACRED Birth Framework, which is a transformative approach prioritizing the lived experiences of Black women, advocating for a reimagined standard of care that addresses historical injustices. Through rigorous analysis and innovative solutions, it challenges healthcare professionals to recognize and combat the pervasive effects of structural racism. This work not only underscores the urgent need for systemic change but also empowers marginalized voices, making it a crucial contribution to the discourse on maternal health equity. This is essential reading for anyone invested in understanding and dismantling the barriers faced by Black birthing individuals, ultimately aiming to create a safer and more equitable healthcare environment for everybody.

Dana-Ain Davis, Queens College, The City University of New York

"SACKRED Birth: Mobilizing A New Quality Paradigm in Obstetric Care is a game-changer! Dr. Karen Scott provides an actionable framework of obstetric racism, unveiling the injustices experienced by Black women and gender-expansive people birthing within hospital settings in the U.S. Grounded in public health critical race methodology, this book unapologetically centers and uplifts Black women’s voices to develop the first ever patient experiences measure of obstetric racism. With boldness and compassion, Dr. Scott provides practical guidance to healthcare institutions and clinicians to transform the way they provide care to Black families. This book is a huge contribution to field of maternal and child health and should be a required text to support the training of clinicians in anti-Black racism and racial equity nationally."

Brittany Chambers Butcher, University of California, Davis