Coronation Street’s Dee-Dee Faces Racial Injustice in Maternity Care: Life at Risk!

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In the upcoming episode of Coronation Street, character Channique Sterling-Brown (Dee-Dee Bailey) will face a tragic situation due to racial disparity, as the delivery of her baby poses a critical threat to her life.

On Monday, 31st March, as the character experiences intense labor pains on screen, the hospital sends her home instead.

Shortly after, Dee-Dee experiences her water breaking. Upon returning to the delivery ward, a sequence of delays occur, leading to an urgent cesarean section.

In the aftermath of a severe bleeding incident that required major surgery, Dee-Dee starts pondering if her health problems could have been prevented, and if any errors in her treatment might be related to her racial or ethnic background.

Following a distressing event, lawyer Dee-Dee seeks assistance from her friend and rising legal star Alya Nazir (Sair Khan), as she ponders lodging a formal allegation of severe negligence against the hospital.

Coronation Street has teamed up with three organizations for the development of Dee-Dee’s plotline. Among them, Birthrights is an organization established specifically to safeguard human rights related to childbirth and maternity.

During the years 2021 and 2022, Birthrights conducted an extensive investigation spanning a full year, aiming to delve deeper into the real-life accounts associated with racial disparities in maternity services.

The study found that Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

birthrights has received stories from women whose concerns were disregarded, such as a mother who nearly lost her life to sepsis when medical staff failed to take her symptoms seriously because of her ethnicity.

As a passionate film critic, I recently had the privilege of reviewing two extraordinary documentaries: “Motivational Mums Club” and “FivexMore”.

“Motivational Mums Club”, in particular, stands out as an empowering journey for mothers and birthing people. This captivating production encourages its audience to make well-informed decisions and boldly advocate for their own needs. It’s a must-watch for any parent or soon-to-be parent seeking guidance and support in navigating the complex world of childbirth choices.

On the other hand, “FivexMore” is a powerful UK-based documentary that sheds light on a critical issue: Black maternal health. This insightful production takes a focused look at the unique challenges faced by black women during pregnancy and childbirth, making it an essential watch for anyone seeking to understand and address these pressing concerns.

Both documentaries offer invaluable insights and serve as powerful tools for change in their respective fields. I strongly recommend adding them to your watch list.

Actress Sterling-Brown recently opened up for the first time about Dee-Dee’s difficult experience. She shared that they collaborated with exceptional organizations and charities, who provided valuable guidance in crafting this tale.

I recently had a heartfelt conversation with a woman who shared her personal, authentic experience relating to this topic. Her account wasn’t far off from Dee Dee’s story, and it was deeply moving to listen to her recount her experiences. The truth in her story resonated strongly. Despite the emotional challenge, these conversations have been incredibly valuable as they allowed me to understand the hardships some women have faced.

The narrative we aim to present is one of honesty. In my opinion, Dee Dee’s care does not involve malicious intent, but rather stems from working on a ward that is overburdened with workload and short on staff. Unfortunately, this situation might lead to her concerns not being fully addressed due to potentially misguided assumptions. Additionally, I suspect she may be in denial about the upcoming birth, as I don’t believe she’s emotionally prepared for it yet.

Sterling-Brown elaborated on the development of her alter ego’s predicament, stating, “Her distress gets overlooked, and before she knows it, she’s thrust into a perilous predicament that leaves her genuinely terrified.

Essentially, we are fully prepared for the delivery of the baby, aiming for both speed and safety. However, it’s quite alarming how rapidly things can escalate, and if earlier intervention had been possible, recognizing symptoms sooner, perhaps more extreme measures wouldn’t have been necessary.

In the plot of the ITV soap opera, Janaki Mahadevan and Shanthi Gunesekera, who are joint CEOs at Birthrights, emphasized that it’s crucial for a show like Coronation Street to bring attention to the stories of Black women in maternity services.

For a long time, research data has consistently indicated that Black women experience higher rates of both physical and emotional distress during pregnancy and childbirth compared to other women.

The findings of our Research on Racial Disparities revealed instances like misdiagnosis based on skin color, racial profiling, and violation of patient consent rights, which contribute to these statistical patterns.

This prolonged predicament calls for immediate action, and we aim to spark a broader conversation about it to amplify the push for transformation.

We’re glad Coronation Street is addressing this topic and portraying the deeply affecting experiences that disproportionately impact a large number of Black women and childbearing individuals.

It’s clear that people, families, and neighborhoods have been deeply affected by traumatic events similar to Dee-Dee’s, leaving them with lifelong emotional scars.

Now is undoubtedly a crucial moment for all of us to confront the truth about systemic racism and unite in efforts to demolish it together.

We’re advocating for the government to enact a new Maternity Care Act for Safety, Accountability, Freedom, and Equality (SAFE), which clearly outlines how international human rights law applies to those involved in managing, delivering, and regulating maternity care. This act aims to prioritize safety, accountability, freedom of choice, and equality within the entire maternity system.

Christina Brown, the founder, CEO, and health equity specialist of The Motivational Mums Club, emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to tackle the discrepancies that Black mothers experience in labor and postpartum care. It’s alarming to note that Black mothers are approximately thrice as likely to lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve seen my share of heart-wrenching stories, but none quite like those of the Black mothers who met tragic ends. Yet, it’s not just about those who perished; there are many more whose lives were spared by a whisper or a miracle. They stand on the brink, their stories untold, their lives hanging in the balance.

The emotional distress experienced by individuals who have gone through such events, coupled with the emotional distress of their families, is an issue that warrants increased attention and intervention. This unfortunate situation has significantly contributed to Black mothers being 13% more prone to mental health issues during pregnancy and postpartum (perinatal period), yet they are less likely to receive the necessary assistance.

It’s clear that there’s a problem somewhere, and it’s up to all of us to work together to improve care for everyone, ensuring services are fair for all. That’s exactly what I strive for at the Motivational Mums Club – by offering training to healthcare professionals and creating safe environments where Black mothers can seek assistance.

I’d like to express my gratitude to Coronation Street for collaborating with The Motivational Mums Club on the development of Dee-Dee’s plot.

The creators of FiveXMore, Clotilde and Tinuke, praised Coronation Street for bringing attention to a significant problem that impacts Black mothers.

It’s great to see Coronation Street tackling a significant issue head-on. Statistics show that black women in the UK are three times more at risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or within six weeks postpartum compared to white women (MBRRACE 2024). This alarming disparity necessitates ongoing immediate focus.

The findings from our Black Maternal Experiences Report indicate that the underlying cause of these disparities can be traced back to the attitudes, knowledge, and presumptions held by medical professionals.

In Coronation Street, Dee-Dee’s struggles mirror those encountered by numerous Black women in reality, giving her storyline an increased importance and relevance.

We understand that the National Health Service (NHS) is currently facing significant strain, but we’re heartened by the latest developments concerning enhancements in maternity care. Nevertheless, it’s crucial for systemic reform to take place so that Black women can access the secure, respectful, and fair care they are entitled to.

Let’s ask the Government to keep focusing on improving Black maternal health, and we encourage everyone to complete our ongoing Black Maternity Experience Survey. Your participation can lead to real improvements in this important area.

If you’re looking for guidance and encouragement on Dee-Dee’s journey, I’d recommend checking out Birthrights, Motivational Mums Club, and FivexMore. They could be valuable resources for you!

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2025-03-25 00:05