Doctor of Nursing Practice | Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | Certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | Clinical Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Prosper-Torrence, I’m in awe of your incredible vision and dedication with Resilience Blossom. Your decision to launch a nonprofit that addresses disparities in Black women’s maternity experiences is not only necessary but deeply transformative. Your work has the potential to save lives, amplify voices, and promote the equitable care that Black mothers deserve. Reflecting on my own pregnancy journey, I am reminded of the critical need for organizations like yours. During my second pregnancy with my daughter, I experienced a sudden and unexplained drop in my platelet count, which fell to 33,000 immediately postpartum—a drastic deviation from the normal range. Despite having had a seemingly normal pregnancy, my obstetrician was puzzled and even inquired about a history of lupus, which I didn’t have. Repeat lab work showed a slow increase into the 50,000s by discharge, but the underlying cause of this change was never fully explained. This lack of information led me to delve into the literature myself. At that time, I found only a single case report on gestational thrombocytopenia (GT), which I shared with my OBGYN during a follow-up visit. Together, we devised a preemptive plan for subsequent pregnancies: oral steroid treatment during the third trimester and early delivery if platelets dropped drastically. After experiencing two miscarriages between my second and third pregnancies, the same complications re-emerged during my third pregnancy. Regular lab monitoring confirmed my platelets were again declining. At 37 weeks, we opted for induction to mitigate risks, implementing the plan we had created. This careful strategy prevented further complications, but it required significant effort, research, and collaboration—something not all mothers, particularly Black mothers, have access to. Your post about Resilience Blossom deeply resonated with me and motivated me to revisit the literature on GT. Interestingly, a groundbreaking study published in 2024 by Zijing Yang and colleagues explored genetic variants linked to platelet counts and GT in pregnancy. Their findings highlighted the critical role of PEAR1 in platelet count decreases during pregnancy. The study also revealed that individuals with specific genetic variants are at a higher risk of experiencing significant declines, further elevating the risks associated with GT. This new understanding could not only inform care plans but also shed light on disparities that disproportionately affect Black women. By fostering awareness, research, and advocacy, your organization will play a pivotal role in ensuring these insights are applied to improve maternal outcomes. I am so proud of you and inspired by your commitment to saving lives and changing the narrative for Black mothers. You have my unwavering support, and I’m here to contribute in any way I can. Together, we can drive the change that is so desperately needed! Resilience Blossoms, University of Florida
Hi! I am Monique P. a proud mother, maternal-newborn nursing subject matter expert, and passionate advocate for Black maternal health. As a Black mom, I’ve experienced firsthand the health disparities affecting Black women in pregnancy. Advocacy and education are vital to creating change. Let’s work together to transform the narrative and achieve health equity. #BlackMaternalHealth #BlackMamasMatter #BlackBabiesMatter #BirthEquity #BirthingWhileBlack #ResilienceBlossoms #Advocacy #Empowerment #ResilienceBlossoms
