A Long Prairie doctor reflects on being pregnant during the pandemic

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world — and the statistics are even worse for pregnant people of color or those who live in rural areas.

Hospital closures in rural Minnesota mean there are fewer OB units for delivery. A lack of doctors makes it hard for pregnant people to find good prenatal or postpartum care. And pregnant people of color are often subject to discrimination throughout the process of getting care and giving birth.

Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen who is very familiar with this issue from many angles. Allen is a young, Black family practice physician. She recently gave birth to her first baby in rural Minnesota. She also hosts the “Millennial Health” podcast.

Allen said her heart hurts for her colleagues who are committed to their work but are having a hard time caring for patients who are not getting vaccinated and taking care of themselves.

Being pregnant earlier in the pandemic was incredibly stressful because there wasn’t as much information about the virus then, she said. She also worried that some patients were passing through screening but then tested positive for COVID-19.

“So I decided to just wear my N95 and eyewear,” she said.

Allen said she started her podcast because millennials like her are entering their 40s, and they need to start paying attention to preventative medicine to avoid developing chronic illnesses at a young age.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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