In the United States, Black women have a long history of poor maternal health outcomes, even when controlling for education and socio-economic status. Yet little is known about the critical life events experienced by Black women that could potentially have an impact on their birthing experience.  

Emerging literature has begun to explore the weathering hypothesis as a determinant of adverse maternal health outcomes among Black women due to cumulative stress over the life course. This study seeks to understand critical life events of Black women, that contribute to this cumulative stress. An understanding of the experiences of Black women, and the implications to their health, could provide an opportunity to improve birthing experiences for this population.