Obstetric racism is the mechanisms and practices of subordination to which Black women and people’s reproduction are subjected that track along histories of anti-black racism.

This term has been coined and the experiences defined by Dana Ain Davis, MPH, PHD.

It is disturbing the way that Black women and birthing people describe how they are treated in medical settings.  Their descriptions and feelings have a history. There are many reasons that Black women and birthing people feel neglected dismissed, and subjected to abuse and pain. It is called obstetric racism.  
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There are six dimensions of obstetric racism. They are diagnostic lapses; neglect, dismissiveness, and disrespect; intentionally causing pain; coercion; ceremonies of degradation; and medical abuse. There is a placeholder (or wildcard) for other dimensions they become apparent.
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What follows is an abbreviate history of scientific racism, racial ideologies, and medical practices that have led to stereotypes and obstetric racism.  This timeline tries to explore some of the assumptions about gender, race, and sex that have shaped scientific explanations of difference. It takes the approach that history has migrated from the past that contribute to the representational repertoires that manage and control the way the Black reproducing body has been treated and used in medicine.  
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The timeline begins with some of the natural scientists that foster the development of what we know as racial science. Racial science is the deployment of science to show that there is evidence to support the belief that there are hierarchies of people. It contributed to the view that Black bodies are different. There were also ideas that Black bodies were different and various body parts were identified as icons of difference. As science and ideas of difference accumulated so too did some medical practices.
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Racial science, racial ideology, and medical practice have profoundly influenced a generally negative view of Black people in particular, and Black women in particular. Ideas about different have solidified into stereotypes effecting Black women and birthing people's medical treatment.