Genise Head embraces her first child after a healthy delivery on April 23, 2024, at the San Antonio Nurse Midwife birthing center. Her doula, Loreal James, rejoices.
On assignment for the San Antonio Report.
In April 2024, San Antonio Report journalist Raquel Torres and I investigated the challenges Black women are facing in San Antonio as they navigate pregnancy and early childhood. The following text illustrates the story behind the story. I wrote this blurb which was publihsed in the newsletter sent out by the San Antonio Report in April 2024:
"Last Monday Raquel and I went to Genise Head’s home to meet and interview her. Twenty-four hours later, I was photographing her delivering her first child!
When Raquel first pitched this story about Black maternal health, I said that it would be awesome if we could include the birthing experience of a mother who is seeking alternatives to a hospital birth. I knew it was a long shot, but I texted Nikki McIver-Brown, the founder of San Antonio Nurse Midwife birthing center, and she graciously connected us with Genise Head.
On Tuesday afternoon, Head invited me to capture some moments of her laboring at home. Loreal James, her doula, said it would be some time before she was ready to give birth, so I went home.
At 6:58 p.m., roughly an hour after I had gotten home, James texted me that it was time and that they were headed to the birthing center. I grabbed my camera bag, my water and some extra snacks and ran out the door, on my way to capture childbirth for the first time!
I'm grateful to McIver-Brown for facilitating this and for Head's willingness to share her story and allow me to witness such a remarkable moment. I know it’s a huge ask to have a photojournalist present during the arduous process of labor and delivery.
McIver-Brown and her team of midwives were so tender and empowering while working with Head. They used encouraging language and Head always had the final say regarding everything. I was moved by the whole process unfolding in front of me and humbled that I had the opportunity to document it.
Huge thanks to my colleagues Scott Ball and Brenda Bazán and my friend Mae Czarnecki who prepared me for how to navigate this unique and beautiful experience."
By the numbers
7 — The hours of labor Denise Head experienced before her delivery last week.
77 — The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 non-Hispanic Black women in the U.S., more than twice the national average across all races.
50% — The additional percentage likelihood that Black women in Bexar County are to have newborns with lower birth weight — often an indicator of health at birth.
Black Maternal Health
Genise Head embraces her first child after a healthy delivery on April 23, 2024, at the San Antonio Nurse Midwife birthing center. Her doula, Loreal James, rejoices.
On assignment for the San Antonio Report.
In April 2024, San Antonio Report journalist Raquel Torres and I investigated the challenges Black women are facing in San Antonio as they navigate pregnancy and early childhood. The following text illustrates the story behind the story. I wrote this blurb which was publihsed in the newsletter sent out by the San Antonio Report in April 2024:
"Last Monday Raquel and I went to Genise Head’s home to meet and interview her. Twenty-four hours later, I was photographing her delivering her first child!
When Raquel first pitched this story about Black maternal health, I said that it would be awesome if we could include the birthing experience of a mother who is seeking alternatives to a hospital birth. I knew it was a long shot, but I texted Nikki McIver-Brown, the founder of San Antonio Nurse Midwife birthing center, and she graciously connected us with Genise Head.
On Tuesday afternoon, Head invited me to capture some moments of her laboring at home. Loreal James, her doula, said it would be some time before she was ready to give birth, so I went home.
At 6:58 p.m., roughly an hour after I had gotten home, James texted me that it was time and that they were headed to the birthing center. I grabbed my camera bag, my water and some extra snacks and ran out the door, on my way to capture childbirth for the first time!
I'm grateful to McIver-Brown for facilitating this and for Head's willingness to share her story and allow me to witness such a remarkable moment. I know it’s a huge ask to have a photojournalist present during the arduous process of labor and delivery.
McIver-Brown and her team of midwives were so tender and empowering while working with Head. They used encouraging language and Head always had the final say regarding everything. I was moved by the whole process unfolding in front of me and humbled that I had the opportunity to document it.
Huge thanks to my colleagues Scott Ball and Brenda Bazán and my friend Mae Czarnecki who prepared me for how to navigate this unique and beautiful experience."
By the numbers
7 — The hours of labor Denise Head experienced before her delivery last week.
77 — The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 non-Hispanic Black women in the U.S., more than twice the national average across all races.
50% — The additional percentage likelihood that Black women in Bexar County are to have newborns with lower birth weight — often an indicator of health at birth.
Black Maternal Health