I'm a Black Physician & This Is Why Allyson Felix's Unmedicated VBAC Birth Story Is So Empowering
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
As the curtains closed on Black Maternal Health Week, the world witnessed a moment of triumph in the realm of maternal care. Allyson Felix, a renowned athlete and a beacon of resilience, welcomed her second child into the world just days after the weeklong advocacy effort. But this wasn’t just any birth — it was a testament to courage, trust, and the pursuit of empowerment in childbirth.
In 2018, Felix gave birth to her first child, daughter Camryn, via emergency C-section after the Olympian was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. It was a traumatizing and life-threatening experience for mom and baby, and couldn’t have been further from the birth of her second child, Trey, on April 10, which Felix described on Instagram as “the most beautiful, powerful, ridiculously hard yet insanely rewarding experience … a story of joy and healing.” As a Black female physician and mother of two daughters, I couldn’t help but celebrate Felix’s story and reflect on the critical issues it illuminates within our healthcare system.
More from SheKnows
At the heart of Felix’s journey lies a term that’s gaining traction in maternal health discourse: VBAC, or vaginal birth after a cesarean. In simple terms, it’s the choice to deliver vaginally after having undergone a previous cesarean section birth. Felix underwent an unmedicated VBAC, something she said she “wanted so badly” after her first childbirth experience. For Felix and many others, the significance of this choice goes beyond mere medical procedure — it represents a reclaiming of agency, a departure from outdated practices, and a pathway to safer childbirth for many women.
For years, the medical community adhered to a rigid protocol dictating that once a woman had a cesarean birth, subsequent deliveries would follow suit. This practice, rooted in outdated beliefs and algorithms, disproportionately affected minority women, particularly Black and Hispanic mothers. An insidious tool known as the VBAC calculator, which wasn’t updated until 2021, further exacerbated disparities by considering race as a risk factor, effectively denying many women the option of a vaginal birth based solely on the color of their skin.
As a Black woman and a physician, I’ve witnessed firsthand the deep-seated fears and vulnerabilities that accompany childbirth, especially after a traumatic experience like a C-section — I even shared my own story as a Black physician in my recent TEDx talk Memories of past trauma linger, casting a shadow of doubt and apprehension over future pregnancies. It’s a reality that I, Felix, and countless others, grapple with — a reality that underscores the urgent need for compassionate, culturally competent care.
Trust is paramount in the patient-provider relationship, particularly in the delicate realm of childbirth. For Black women, the importance of finding a doctor who possesses medical expertise and understands and respects their unique experiences cannot be overstated. Given the glaring disparity between the demographic makeup of healthcare professionals and the communities they serve, it’s a journey fraught with obstacles.
Allyson Felix’s experience exemplifies the transformative power of a supportive care team—one that mirrors her identity and advocates for her autonomy. Central to her journey was the presence of a doula, a trusted companion who offered guidance, advocacy, and unwavering support throughout the birthing process. For many women, particularly those from marginalized communities, doulas serve to amplify their voices and ensure their needs are heard and respected. “She was the support and guide that I needed,” Felix wrote of her doula. “She believed in me and encouraged me when I started to doubt myself.”
As we celebrate stories like Felix’s, we must also acknowledge the systemic inequities that continue to plague maternal healthcare. The road to progress is paved with advocacy, awareness, and a collective commitment to dismantling barriers that endanger the lives of Black mothers. It’s a journey that demands continued attention, dialogue, and action, requiring us to confront uncomfortable truths and champion meaningful change.
Allyson Felix’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit of Black mothers everywhere. Let us celebrate their triumphs, amplify their voices, and stand in solidarity as we strive to create a future where every woman receives the compassionate, dignified care she deserves.
Before you go, check out our favorite affordable mental health apps:
Best of SheKnows
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
