Pregnancy amid Fear and Uncertainty
Abby Phillip’s experience as a pregnant Black woman during the COVID-19 pandemic was, by her own account, a mixture of deep anxiety and cautious hope. Writing in a CNN op-ed and her piece, “Homebirth Journey: Saving Black Moms,” Phillip shared how, even though childbirth is a natural process humanity has faced forever, she found herself fearing for her life. It’s a heavy, almost paradoxical feeling to hold—that a life-giving moment could also be fraught with danger.
She admitted that the thought of going to a hospital during a pandemic alone was intimidating. But layering on top of that was something more personal and unsettling: the very real, documented risks faced by Black women in childbirth. She reflected on statistics she’d encountered in her work as a journalist, showing how Black women in America are two to three times more likely to die during childbirth compared to White women, regardless of income or education. Those numbers stayed with her—they weren’t just numbers, but a looming worry that she carried through her pregnancy.
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Seeking Care, Finding Challenges
Abby didn’t just rely on statistics to understand her risks; she lived through encounters that made her fears feel more immediate. At first, she found herself dismissed by a doctor’s office, a frustrating and sadly common experience for many women who feel their concerns aren’t taken seriously. The dismissal was serious enough that she left to look for better care. But even after switching doctors, she hesitated to fully open up about her discomfort, wondering if maybe she just worried too much or if her concerns were genuine warning signs. The short, 30-minute appointments didn’t help her feel seen or reassured.
Eventually, Abby’s story took a turn toward something more hopeful when she started working with a midwife named Aza Nedhari. Unlike hurried doctor visits, these appointments often took place in her own home and lasted an hour or more. In those moments, Abby said she truly felt heard, seen, and empowered. The care wasn’t just medical—it was emotional. That support began easing her anxiety in a way she hadn’t expected, allowing her to look forward to becoming a mom rather than fearing childbirth. It’s interesting how connection and time—things so simple—can be so profoundly healing.
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Advocacy Born from Personal Experience
Since giving birth with her midwife and doula’s support, Abby has channeled her experience into advocacy, shining a light on the racial disparities in maternal health care. She’s also involved with BirthFUND, a midwifery-led initiative co-founded by Serena Williams, who knows firsthand the dangers of childbirth. Abby’s willingness to share her journey publicly helps add a real, human voice to statistics and policy discussions. It’s a reminder that behind every number is a story, often one of struggle and resilience.
Personal Loss and Resilience
On a more personal note, Abby’s life has also been marked by heartbreak with the recent loss of two close colleagues and friends in the media world. Both Alice Stewart and David Gergen were big influences and sources of mentorship and friendship. Abby’s reflections on their passing show a side of her that’s tender and thoughtful—grappling with grief while also celebrating their legacies of respectful dialogue and dedication to mentoring young people. It’s a poignant reminder that even public figures carry private sorrows.
A Closer Look at Public Clashes
Then there’s the chapter where Abby found herself in the crosshairs of Donald Trump’s criticism. If anything, these exchanges reveal some strange complexity. Trump’s public jabs at Abby on social media might seem harsh on the surface, but there’s also a weird awareness from him about who she is—as one social media user pointed out, Trump knows Abby quite well, recalling tense face-to-face moments during press briefings.
Abby’s calm, almost cheeky response thanking him for watching shows a steadiness that’s admirable, especially compared against the backdrop of her other, more profound struggles. Compared to the weight of childbirth fears or the pain of losing friends, a political jab carries a very different kind of impact. It’s like a blip of noise amid the much bigger, ongoing story of her life—which is filled with challenges, growth, and resilience.
Life, With Its Winding Roads
What’s clear from Abby Phillip’s story is that life is rarely a straight path. It’s messy and sometimes painful, but also filled with moments that can restore faith and strength. Her journey through pregnancy was complicated by fears grounded in harsh realities, but it unfolded into a story of finding support and empowerment. Alongside public successes and personal losses, opposition and affirmation, Abby navigates her life balancing all of it—never quite perfect, never fully resolved, but impressively human.
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