How Black Dads Are Becoming Delivery-Room Advocates

Nathaniel Turner, JD, approached his son’s birth with careful preparation—which isn’t something every dad can say.

“My wife and I took Lamaze classes, and I was present for the entire delivery. I watched my son being born. I cut the umbilical cord and held him after my wife met him face-to-face for the first time,” the lawyer, entrepreneur and activist recalls. “That moment mattered to me—not just emotionally, but as the beginning of a relationship we’d been preparing for.”

Before even entering the delivery room, Turner spoke with the couple’s medical team about the realities Black people face: higher maternal mortality rates, higher risk of preterm birth and unnecessary C-sections. “I initiated those conversations to set clear expectations. I made it clear my wife would be seen, heard and respected at every stage of her care,” says Turner, who’s also the co-founder of The League of Extraordinary Parents.

Turner’s an example of how Black dads are becoming more involved in advocating to address the Black maternal health crisis and disparities in healthcare.

What Black Moms Are Up Against

We’ve all seen the inequalities Black women face when giving birth: For one thing, they’re three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women, regardless of income and education. Black women and birthing people are also more likely to deliver prematurely, and to receive late or no prenatal care. All of this leaves Black moms and moms-to-be at increased risk for trauma.

This makes it even more important to bring partners into the conversation. “What we often witness in delivery rooms—dismissal, delayed response, not being heard—reveals whether the people surrounding that mother were prepared to advocate for her, question the medical establishment and respond in real time,” points out Turner.

After all, Black moms shouldn’t be alone in their journeys—and 8 out 10 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Turner believes that when dads and partners understand they’re responsible participants, not just observers, they’re more proactive. “They ask better questions. They recognize when something is wrong. And they act sooner, not after harm has already occurred.”

How Black Dads Are Sidelined

The myth of the “absent Black dad” persists despite research showing Black dads are more likely than others to be involved in their children’s activities even when they don’t live together.

“It’s not because we weren’t there, but because systems erased us—through incarceration, economic instability, media and a healthcare model that never expected us to show up,” explains Peter Bullock, a dad, certified doula and the founder of Hey Black Dad, an organization that helps men become stronger birth partners.

Bullock notes these portrayals shape both how the world views Black dads and how they view themselves. In truth, he says, “they weren’t given the right tools,” adding that in his experience, the few events for dads often unintentionally center Mom’s experiences—and fail to create safe spaces for men to express uncertainty.

Hey Black Dad helps all families navigate the nuances of Black fatherhood. “We focus on Black fathers to recognize historic challenges and the power fathers have in maternal health. When fathers are prepared, engaged and supported, everyone benefits,” Bullock says.

Brad Maurice Edwards, a dad and the director of community engagement and program strategy and co-founder at Dear Fathers, says that excluding men from maternal health spaces reinforces the idea that they have a limited role. He also emphasizes that their presence, and those of other family members, can save lives.

Edwards began training dads in doula work after he and his wife experienced infant loss. “We lost twins, which revealed how little many fathers know about maternal health risks,” he says. “If fathers had the right information and support, families could feel more prepared and protected during pregnancy and childbirth.” The program addresses sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the high infant mortality rate Black babies face.

He says that ensuring dads aren’t just present, but empowered lets them play a critical role in advocacy, emotional support and decision-making during medical interactions. Plus, Dad’s involvement promotes kids’ early social-emotional learning.

How Black Dads Are Stepping Up

Turner believes that it’s important to thoroughly prepare Black dads for their partners’ pregnancy and childbirth. “We’d never accept untrained individuals operating in other high-stakes environments where lives are at risk,” he says. “Yet we routinely expect parents to navigate pregnancy, birth and human development without preparation.”

Bullock says that he created Hey Black Dad with these training needs in mind. “Many men want to show up fully for their families, but haven’t always been invited into the conversation around maternal health,” he adds. Even before it was a formal project, he started telling his dad-to-be friends about what happens during prenatal appointments.

Hey Black Dad’s programs guide dads caregiving tasks such as changing diapers, dressing and swaddling, as well as supporting their partner during pregnancy and birth.

Meanwhile, Edwards’ organization, Dear Fathers, ensures dads have these resources across the US. “What began as a deeply personal loss has become a national movement centered on education, advocacy and support for families,” says Edwards. Since launching in 2024, the organization’s Dads to Doulas program has hosted five cohorts and trained dads in 44 states and multiple countries.

Dear Fathers also offers a platform for dads. “These stories challenge outdated narratives about Black fatherhood while also showing other men what’s possible. When fathers see someone who looks like them stepping into this role, it becomes easier to imagine themselves doing the same,” says Edwards.

Of course, engaged dads can’t be the sole solution to the maternal health crisis—system overhaul and investment are necessary too. But their impact matters, and they support families one dad at a time.

How We Developed This Article

We spoke with three experts and founders who are at the forefront of helping Black dads address maternal health disparities and become advocates in the delivery room and beyond. After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez is an award-winning writer, speaker and activist working to amplify Black women’s voices in the mainstream dialogue, especially within conversations on health and parenting. She’s also the founder of Free Black Motherhood.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.