Grief, Advocacy, and Education: A Counselor Reflects on Black Maternal Health

March 20, 2026

Following the death of Charleston nurse-midwife Dr. Janell Green Smith from childbirth complications in January, healthcare professionals and community members gathered to address Black maternal health disparities and honor her legacy. Lawrence Lovell, a licensed professional counselor and father, participated in the memorial event to discuss grief processing and the critical role male partners play in advocating for maternal health. South Carolina's maternal mortality rates exceed most other states, with Black mothers dying at three times the rate of white women nationally, despite a slight overall decrease in 2024.

Who is affected

Black mothers (experiencing three times the mortality rate of white mothers)
Dr. Janell Green Smith (who died from childbirth complications in January)
South Carolina residents (particularly pregnant women in a state with maternal mortality rates higher than all but eight states and D.C.)
Lawrence Lovell's family (who briefly connected with Green Smith during pregnancy)
Couples preparing for parenthood whom Lovell counsels
Women experiencing postpartum depression
Healthcare leaders, birth workers, and community members in Charleston

What action is being taken

Lawrence Lovell is counseling couples preparing for parenthood, helping partners understand pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery
Lovell is training men to ask detailed questions about their partners' expectations and to advocate in medical settings
Lovell is helping women manage postpartum depression
Lovell is educating men about recognizing pregnancy complications and understanding birth plans

Why it matters

This matters because Black mothers face drastically disproportionate maternal mortality rates—three times higher than white women—and South Carolina's rates are among the worst in the nation. The death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, an experienced maternal health professional who specialized in helping Black women give birth safely, underscores that even medical expertise doesn't guarantee safe outcomes in a broken system. Male partners' lack of understanding about pregnancy and insufficient advocacy during medical care can contribute to preventable maternal deaths, making education and empathy critical tools for improving outcomes. The scarcity of Black maternal health professionals makes each loss even more significant to communities that already face limited access to culturally competent care.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint