The Hidden Bias Behind The Tech Tools Black Working Mothers Rely On

There is no shortage of stories from Black mothers about their horrific birthing experiences. Recently, two stories went viral—one was a video of a Black mother screaming in agony while a nurse asked her a series of intake questions, seemingly ignoring the mother’s pain and distress. In another story that has been shared widely, a Black mother ended up giving birth on the side of the road after she was sent home from the hospital while in active labor. These videos have rightfully sparked outrage and reignited conversations about the Black maternal health crisis and how Black women’s pain is often overlooked and ignored. There is a well-documented history of racial bias in healthcare with research confirming the myriad ways that Black women are mistreated in the medical system. What is less known is how the same racial biases that shape the healthcare system are replicated in the technology that Black mothers use to monitor their health, their baby’s health, manage the postpartum period and how this impacts Black mothers in the workplace.

Wearable health trackers, like smart watches and smart rings, have seen an explosion in interest over the last several years. Many expectant mothers rely on wearable technology tools to help them track aspects of their health including their daily activity, heart rate and sleep patterns. Some smart watches allow users who sleep with the watch on to receive a sleep score, which is a number that represents your overall nightly sleep based on factors like, “your heart rate, the time you spend awake or restless, and your sleep stages.” The problem with using heart rates to measure sleep patterns is that research indicates that heart rate assessments are less accurate on darker skin tones. Black expectant mothers and postpartum mothers that rely on wearable technology to help them analyze their sleep may not receive accurate predictions of their sleep patterns. 

According to estimates, about 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression after giving birth and 50% of mothers who experience postpartum depression aren’t diagnosed by a medical professional. Because of barriers like time, cost and stigma, many people experiencing postpartum depression may turn to chatbots and large language models (LLMs) to fill the gap. The problem with relying on these tools for postpartum support is that the quality of the support received may vary based on race. One groundbreaking 2025 study revealed racial bias in four of the leading LLMs—the LLMs provided inferior mental health treatments to patients when a patient’s race was explicitly or implicitly indicated. Black women who rely on these and similar tools to navigate the postpartum period may receive subpar support due to racial bias that is baked into these tools.

Bias is not only embedded in the tools that Black mothers use during pregnancy and postpartum—racial bias is also baked into the technology tools that Black mothers use to monitor their babies. Popular wearable baby monitoring tools rely on photoplethysmography (PPG) to “measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation in infants.” Research has shown that PPG, which is often used in wearable health devices like smart watches and baby monitors, can be less accurate on darker skin tones. The health estimates from these baby monitoring tools may not be as accurate for Black babies.

In addition, many of the popular apps that breastfeeding mothers use are not inclusive to Black breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers, whether they are nursing or pumping, often utilize apps to help them track feedings. Several of the most popular apps that breastfeeding moms use provide recommendations on “normal” breastmilk output and the suggested breastfeeding frequency. Breastfeeding tracking apps were not made with Black mothers in mind; they fail to consider the barriers that Black women who breastfeed often endure. The data reveals that Black women are the group that is least likely to breastfeed—that statistic was not by choice. Because of factors like occupying jobs with shorter maternity leave, having less flexible hours, negative cultural stigma, and a lack of access to knowledge about breastfeeding laws and policies, Black women are less likely to exclusively breastfeed, according to research. 

Technology that is not inclusive to Black mothers doesn’t just impact the health and wellbeing of a mother and her child—there are also implications for workplaces. Wearable technology that miscalculates a Black mother’s sleep due to inaccurate sleep assessments can trigger more stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect a postpartum mother’s experience at work. Chatbots that provide lower quality support for Black women can impact postpartum mental health and wellbeing during a vulnerable time for Black mothers. Baby monitors that are less accurate for Black babies can cause mothers to be more stressed about their child’s health, which according to research, can impact job performance. Similarly, breastfeeding apps that are not inclusive to Black mothers can cause increased stress and anxiety levels for postpartum mothers who may be worried about breastmilk output—this is especially worrisome because Black mothers already face more breastfeeding barriers.

During their careers, many working mothers rely on technology that may be biased. This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s also a workplace issue. When working mothers aren’t fully supported because the technology they rely on during pregnancy and postpartum fails, it impacts retention, presenteeism, health costs, worker productivity and organizational culture. Workplaces should ensure that flexibility and grace are afforded to working mothers and that there are private spaces for breastfeeding and pumping in the office. Consider equipping your employee assistance programs and employee wellness programs with tools to support maternal health and wellbeing, including robust lactation support, culturally responsive mental health assistance and education, sleep coaches, and maternal support groups. Employers should be aware of these disparities and can take several actions to close the gaps left by inequitable technology.

This article was originally published in Forbes in December 2025.