On liberation and midwifery
Why is centering liberation our approach to improving maternity care? As co-founders, we came from a perspective of midwifery as an essential solution to our maternal health crisis, however, we also recognize that our birth future-- and midwifery itself-- must also be liberated. What does that mean?
The harm is preventable.
Midwives are underutilized in the U.S. and our maternity care system inflicts abuse, severe injury, and death on childbearing people with shocking frequency. Amplified by racism, this system disproportionately harms Black and Indigenous birthing people.
Midwifery is only part of the solution. We need liberation.
Why liberation?
The evidence is clear that universal access to midwives would dramatically improve U.S. maternal and infant health outcomes. As we seek to expand access to midwifery, we must also dismantle white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other intersecting oppressions within the midwifery profession and midwifery care or our “solution” will not achieve equity.
Inequity does not solve itself. Oppression must be actively dismantled.
A rising tide does not lift all boats.
The past teaches us that if we do not intentionally center equity and justice, we will continue to replicate injustice. This lesson has been repeated in movements throughout history, but so has the mistake. Equity requires our sustained attention and focus throughout all aspects of our work.
Center equity. Envision liberation.
Our birth future is liberated:
An inclusive workforce with an abundance of Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ midwives
Supportive pathways through midwifery training free from oppression
Access to midwives and choice of birth setting in every community
Safe and healthy families treated with respect, dignity, and compassion
Join us. We will build this birth future together.