May Birth Connection

Social & reproductive justice is a non-negotiable in birthwork.  Currently, it is Black Maternal Health Week (April 11th - 17th) and to support this, we are going to take a look at Hakima's own experiences during pregnancy with the racist medical system and how that motivated her to make changes as an L&D nurse and advocate to improve Black maternal and infant health. In order to know where and how to make changes, we must be aware of the horribly racist historical roots of medical racism, especially in obstetrics and gynecology, and how this drastically negatively impacts outcomes for Black birthing families. It is because of systemic medical racism that is the main driving force for Black birthing families experiencing worse outcomes, even when accounting for other factors like maternal age, education, and income.  As birthworkers, it’s important to make ourselves aware of the barriers birthing people of color face & to help ensure our clients have the tools to combat this racist medical system & advocate for themselves. So, come join us for the next Birth Connection meetup so we can learn together and see how we can support our clients!

Who: Birthworkers

What: Pregnancy & Prejudice: A Changemakers Story

When: May 9th @ 5:30pm

Where: My Home (subscribe to newsletter or email me for address)

Why: Join us for opportunities to connect within the Tucson birth community & dive deep into topics for Birthworkers related to all things reproduction, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, etc.

The documentary will be Pregnancy & Prejudice: A Changemakers Story by DocuCourse creator and director, Avrell Stokes (you can check out DocuCourse on IG: @docucourse or website).

You can view the documentary:

• On YouTube (short version) or on their website (extended version - requires free membership).

I want to amplify resources (locally & nationally) for BIPOC birthing people. I have some already listed on previous blog posts: Nov 2023 & Dec 2023, so linking them here so as not to duplicate.

You can also check out these additional resources and materials:

• Local Tucson & Arizona Resources

  • Lorene Lloyd, doula @doula_n_da_middle (IG)

  • Desert Star Institute for Family Planning or @desertstarfp & @desertstartfp_clinic (IG)

  • Arizona Birth Workers of Color (website) or @arizonabirthworkersofarizona (IG)

    • AZPOC Provider Directory

  • Eyndia Omega, LM ,CPM & Valley Born Midwifery (website) or @valleybornmidwifery (IG)

• Books

  • The First-Time Parent's Childbirth Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Building Your Birth Plan by Stephanie Mitchell CNM MSN DNP

  • The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

  • Real Food for Fertility by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack & Lily Nichols

• Documentaries & Films

  • Aftershock (available on Hulu)

  • Sister Doula

• Podcasts

  • EBB podcast Episode 278 with Hakima Payne on Afrocentric Models of Prenatal Care - Found on YouTube, Spotify, or their Blog Post.

  • Birth Stories in Color

  • Dear Doula Podcast

  • Fertility Friday

• Other Resources

  • Uzazi Village (website) or @uzazivillage (IG)

  • Ida Mae Patterson Center for Maternal & Infant Wellness (website)

  • Chocolate Milk Cafe (website) or @chocolatemilkcafe (IG)

  • The Milk Manual (website) or @themilkmanual (IG)

  • National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB) (websited) or @the_naabb (IG)

  • Black Birthing Bill of Rights (website)

  • National Black Doulas Association (NBDA) (website) or @nationalblackdoulas (IG)

  • The irth App (website) or @theirthapp (IG)

    • Post on listing groups that support Black birthing people

  • Dr. Stephanie Mitchell @doctor_midwife (IG) & The Birth Sanctuary Gainesville (website) @the.birth.sanctuary (IG)

  • Fertility Friday (website) or @fertilityfriday (IG)

  • The Vagina Rehab Doctor (website) or @vaginarehabdoctor (IG)

  • The Vagina Chronicles (website) or @thevaginachronicles (IG)

  • Birthing Advocacy Doula Training (website) or @birthingadvocacy (IG)

  • Whole Body Pregnancy (website) or @_wholebodypregnancy_ (IG)

  • Doula Kaytee (website) or @doulakaytee (IG)

  • Brandi Jordan @brandi_jordan_official (IG)

I encourage everyone to try to look at one of the additional resources below to further our discussion for May's meetup. However, even if someone does not finish the documentary or get through the additional materials, you are still more than welcome to come. This is a fantastic way to connect with fellow Tucson birthworkers and learn from each other.

Reminder: Birth Connection is intended to be an inclusive & safe space where difficult topics may come up that push us and are inclusive of the entire birth community. Please be mindful of your words and actions and always be respectful of others.

***If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by emailing me and I will send you my address.***

Note: None of the links in this blog are affiliate links.

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