The often hidden occupational injustices of motherhood

Motherhood is one of the most rewarding, yet difficult, occupations one can engage in. Not only is it occupationally disruptive, but it is also a major life event. The journey of pregnancy and birth can significantly impact both mental and physical health. New mothers may experience depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, increased fatigue, brain fog, incontinence, increase in overall pain levels, hypertension, and even organ damage. The risk of maternal mortality is ever present, especially for non-Hispanic Black women for whom the maternal mortality rate is almost three times that of LatinX and non-Hispanic White women (Hoyert, 2022). According to the World Health Organization (2023), “The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequities in access to health services and highlights the gap between rich and poor.”