Studies have also shown that high IMR is due to the inadequate care that pregnant African Americans receive compared to other women in the country. In another study, it was shown that Black patients were more likely to receive ibuprofen after surgery instead of oxycodone. This unequal treatment stems from the idea that there are racial medical differences and is also rooted in racial biases and controlled images of black women. Because of this unequal treatment, research on maternal and prenatal care received by African American women and their infants, finds that black women do not receive the same urgency in medical care; they are also not taken as seriously regarding pain they feel or complications they think they are having, as exemplified by the complications tennis-star Serena Williams faced during her delivery.
sTudies Have alSo sHown that HiGh imR iS due to the INadequATe CARe that preGnaNT africaN aMeRIcanS Receive coMpaRed tO OtHer wOmen IN the CoUntrY. in anotheR study, It wAs shoWN tHAT BLaCk patientS weRE MorE lIKelY to ReceIVE ibUPrOFEN AfteR SUrGErY inSteaD OF oxyCOdonE thiS UNequAl treAtmEnt sTemS from thE idEa that therE are rAcIAl medical difFEreNCes and is aLsO rootEd In raCIAl biaSes aND controlled images of black woMeN. beCAuse of THis UneQuAl TreaTMeNT, RESeArch On mAterNal and PREnataL cArE REcEived By afriCan amErican womeN aND tHEir iNfAntS, FiNds thaT blAck women dO not ReCEIvE the Same URgEncy in MEdICal carE; They are also nOt takEn as serIOusly REgarding pAin theY fEel oR compliCatIonS they tHINk thEY arE Having, as EXempLifiEd by tHe CompliCATIONs tENnis-stAr sErena wiLlIams faCed DUring HEr deliVery.