Pioneering Representation: The World’s Leading Medical Illustrations of Black Pregnancy

In a groundbreaking step toward inclusivity in healthcare education, Dr Joanna Butler has developed the world’s first set of week-by-week medical illustrations of pregnancy specifically featuring individuals of Black ethnicity. These scientifically accurate visuals represent a significant advancement in addressing a longstanding gap in medical education and health communication materials. Designed with meticulous attention to anatomical detail, these illustrations are ideal tools for doulas, midwives, and educators in childbirth and health education centres, serving as a resource to better support Black families during their pregnancy journey.

This initiative aims to empower minority populations, improve health literacy, and foster more equitable healthcare by acknowledging and representing the diverse realities of pregnancy and childbirth.

The Problem: A Lack of Representation in Medical Illustrations

Medical illustrations have long been indispensable tools in healthcare education, providing detailed visual representations of anatomy and medical conditions to aid both professionals and patients. However, these illustrations have predominantly featured individuals with lighter skin tones, leaving minority populations underrepresented. This lack of diversity in medical imagery perpetuates the notion of a "default" patient, marginalising others and failing to address their unique physiological and cultural needs.

For expectant Black parents, this disparity in representation has tangible consequences. Conditions such as melasma, stretch marks, and certain pregnancy complications may present differently in darker skin tones, but these variations are rarely depicted in existing medical resources. The absence of relevant imagery limits the effectiveness of patient education, leaving individuals without visual tools that reflect their own experiences. It also restricts the ability of doulas and midwives to communicate effectively with the families they support.

Our Solution: A Set of Inclusive Medical Illustrations

Recognising this gap, we embarked on a mission to create a comprehensive set of medical illustrations depicting Black pregnancy. These images cover key stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery, capturing the beauty and complexity of this transformative process with anatomical precision.

Our illustrations include:

• Fertilisation: Illustrations of cell development. 
• Foetal Development Week by Week: Detailed visuals of the foetus at different stages of growth, depicted within the anatomy of a Black pregnant individual.
• Foetal Development Week by Week: Detailed visuals of the individual foetus at different stages of growth, depicting a baby with Black parents. 
• Timeline of Pregnancy: A pregnancy is divided into three stages called trimesters: first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. A trimester lasts between 12 and 14 weeks.
• Labour and Delivery: Visuals showing the stages of labour, including dilation, effacement, and foetal descent, along with birthing positions and common medical interventions. 

Each image was created in collaboration with medical experts, ensuring accuracy and relevance for educational use. We also prioritised cultural sensitivity, portraying diverse family structures and experiences to reflect the reality of Black parenthood.

Supporting Doulas and Midwives in Their Work

Doulas and midwives play a crucial role in supporting expectant parents, providing guidance, advocacy, and emotional support throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Visual education tools are integral to their work, helping them explain complex concepts, reassure families, and facilitate informed decision-making.

By featuring Black individuals, our illustrations enable doulas and midwives to better connect with the communities they serve. Representation fosters trust and engagement, empowering parents to ask questions, voice their preferences, and take an active role in their care. This is particularly important in addressing the disparities that Black families often face in maternal healthcare, including higher rates of complications and lower levels of trust in medical institutions.

Filling a Gap in Health Education Materials

Our illustrations are designed not only for professional use but also for health and childbirth education centres, which often struggle to find materials that reflect the diversity of the populations they serve. These centres are critical in providing prenatal classes, breastfeeding support, and parenting workshops, especially in underserved communities.

For Black parents, seeing themselves represented in these resources affirms their presence and importance in the healthcare narrative. It also helps normalise various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, reducing stigma and dispelling misconceptions. For example, showing how conditions like postpartum keloid formation may appear on darker skin tones provides clarity and reassurance.

Empowering Black Families Through Representation

Representation matters in healthcare education. When Black individuals see themselves reflected in medical imagery, it validates their experiences and sends a powerful message of inclusion. It also helps dismantle implicit biases that can affect healthcare delivery.

For example, research has shown that medical professionals often underestimate pain levels in Black patients due to unconscious biases. By normalising diverse imagery in medical resources, we can contribute to a cultural shift that promotes equity and reduces disparities in care.

Enhancing Health Literacy and Outcomes

One of the key benefits of our illustrations is their potential to improve health literacy among Black families. Health literacy and the ability to understand and use health information is essential for making informed decisions and navigating the healthcare system. Visual aids are particularly effective in this regard, offering accessible explanations that transcend language barriers and varying levels of literacy.

For instance, an illustration showing the correct latch for breastfeeding or the progression of labour can provide immediate clarity that might be difficult to convey through words alone. By equipping families with accurate and relatable visuals, we help them feel more confident and prepared for the challenges of pregnancy and parenting.

A Call for More Inclusive Medical Resources

While our set of illustrations represents a significant milestone, it is only the beginning. The broader field of medical education must continue to prioritise diversity in its materials, ensuring that all patients are seen and valued. This includes creating resources that represent other ethnicities, body types, and family dynamics, as well as addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ parents and those with disabilities.

Black Fetal Development Illustrations: Just the Start

The creation of the world’s leading medical illustrations of Black pregnancy marks a turning point in healthcare education. These scientifically accurate visuals fill a critical gap in representation, providing doulas, midwives, and health educators with the tools they need to support Black families more effectively. By fostering inclusivity and promoting health literacy, we can contribute to a more equitable healthcare system that serves everyone with respect and understanding.

Representation is not just a matter of visibility; it is a cornerstone of equity. Through our illustrations, we hope to empower Black families, improve maternal health outcomes, and inspire a new standard of inclusivity in medical education.