ON GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. WELL AS WE GET READY FOR A NEW MONTH, WE DO WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. APRIL. IS NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH AND ONE SLIDELL MOM IS SHARING HER STRUGGLES WITH PREMATURE PREGNANCIES. ANITA BERRYMAN DELIVERED HER SON JAMES AT JUST 23 WEEKS AND SAYS DOCTORS WARNED HER HE MIGHT NOT SURVIVE. NOW, ANITA SAYS SHE REFUSED TO LET THAT HAPPEN. SHE TALKED TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF, ESPECIALLY AS A BLACK WOMAN. WE’RE OFTEN OVERLOOKED WITH ANY ISSUES WITH PREGNANCY, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I GOT VERY LUCKY THAT I DID. HAVE A DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, THAT ACTUALLY REALLY CARED. AND EVEN ALL THE STAFF THAT I EVEN TOOK CARE OF ME, LIKE OUR NURSE, EVERYBODY LIKE, I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT ANYBODY. SO IT’S LIKE, FIND YOU A VERY GOOD DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, THAT CARES ABOUT YOU AND LISTENS TO YOU. NOW, JAMES IS TWO YEARS OLD NOW, AND WE’RE TOLD HEALTHY. AS CAN BE. ANITA CREDITS A MEDICAL DEVICE PRODUCED BY ABBOTT FOR HELPING SAVE HER SON’S LIFE. IT’S CALLED A PICCO
Mom credits determination, specialized medical device with saving son’s life
Zaneta Berryman’s son was born at just 23 weeks old.
Updated: 2:42 PM CDT May 5, 2024
In recognition of National Minority Health Month, a mother in Slidell, Louisiana, is sharing her struggles with premature pregnancy in hopes of inspiring other women to prioritize their health.Zaneta Berryman gave birth to her son at just 23 weeks. She told sister station WDSU that doctors warned her the baby might not survive.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, minority communities often experience higher numbers of preventable deaths, disabilities and diseases compared to their white counterparts.Berryman said she was determined to advocate for herself and her son because she knew he was destined to live.”I believe in a higher power and I believe in God,” said Berryman. “God put it on my heart that he (was) going to be fine … It took a lot of convincing. I begged them every day.”Her perseverance paid off. Her son, James, is now 2 years old and healthy.She credits a device meant to treat heart defects, called a Piccolo, with helping save her son’s life. The device was created by Abbott. Berryman shared her story with WDSU during Minority Health Month and offered this advice.”Find a good doctor because, you know, as a Black woman, I got very lucky with my doctor,” said Berryman. “Not all Black women, with pregnancy and stuff, (get lucky). We have the highest mortality rate.” The CDC reports that in 2021, the maternal mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000. That number is more than 2.5 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women.
In recognition of National Minority Health Month, a mother in Slidell, Louisiana, is sharing her struggles with premature pregnancy in hopes of inspiring other women to prioritize their health.
Zaneta Berryman gave birth to her son at just 23 weeks. She told sister station WDSU that doctors warned her the baby might not survive.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, minority communities often experience higher numbers of preventable deaths, disabilities and diseases compared to their white counterparts.
Berryman said she was determined to advocate for herself and her son because she knew he was destined to live.
“I believe in a higher power and I believe in God,” said Berryman. “God put it on my heart that he (was) going to be fine … It took a lot of convincing. I begged them every day.”
Her perseverance paid off. Her son, James, is now 2 years old and healthy.
She credits a device meant to treat heart defects, called a Piccolo, with helping save her son’s life. The device was created by Abbott.
Berryman shared her story with WDSU during Minority Health Month and offered this advice.
“Find a good doctor because, you know, as a Black woman, I got very lucky with my doctor,” said Berryman. “Not all Black women, with pregnancy and stuff, (get lucky). We have the highest mortality rate.”
The CDC reports that in 2021, the maternal mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000. That number is more than 2.5 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women.
