New Community Midwifery Fund Supports Quality Care for Low-Income Mothers and Babies

New Community Midwifery Fund Supports Quality Care for Low-Income Mothers and Babies   “Midwives deliver – and not only babies. They save lives and promote good health in societies as a whole.  They are an essential workforce in an effective healthcare system.”  - United Nations Population Fund Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin   For more information contact: Alexandra DelValle, 347-689-3221   Oakland, CA - April 16, 2012 – Groundswell Fund is pleased to announce the first grant awards from its newest grantmaking endeavor, the Community Midwifery Fund (CMF), a funding collaborative that is now welcoming new donor partners. The U.S. consistently lags behind other industrialized democracies in infant and maternal mortality rates. Thirty-three countries outpace the U.S. in preventing infant mortality, and fifty have done a better job of preventing maternal mortality. In fact, while birth outcomes in most countries are steadily improving, they are getting worse in the U.S., due in part to increasing racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. African American women, for example, suffer maternal mortality rates nearly four times those of white women, and their babies are two to three times more likely to die – a gap that exists regardless of socio-economic status. Women of color are also disproportionately impacted by the high c-section rate in the U.S., which leapt from 4.5 percent of all births in 1965 to 33 percent of all births today, in sharp contrast to the World Health Organization’s recommendation that c-section rates not exceed 10 percent. High c-section rates contribute to increased rates of premature birth, low birth weight infants and rising healthcare costs (birth-related hospital costs totaled $98 billion in 2010). Midwifery and doula care are changing these outcomes across the U.S., providing low cost, high quality care where it might not otherwise exist.  Studies consistently show that midwifery care reduces hospital interventions like c-sections, and lowers infant and maternal mortality rates among vulnerable populations.    Yet, while many industrialized countries now make midwifery care widely available, these vital services are extremely limited in the U.S., and there are very few philanthropic dollars moving to this field. The Community Midwifery Fund was created to make high quality, culturally competent midwifery care more readily available, especially for low-income women and women of color. Its goal is to improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies and address racial disparities in maternal and infant health. In its first round of grantmaking, the CMF awarded a total of $92,500 to eight projects that: Increase the number of midwives of color entering the profession; Expand affordable, community-based midwifery care, including sliding-scale birth centers and homebirth practices; Increase doula training programs for women of color and girls, and community-based apprenticeship opportunities for women of color midwives; and Reclaim and support traditional birth practices within different cultures. According to Vanessa Daniel, Executive Director of Groundswell Fund, “Community-based midwifery and doula training and care are lowering maternal mortality, infant mortality and cesarean rates for women in low- income communities and communities of color across the U.S.  The Community Midwifery Fund helps to ensure that midwife and doula care is available to every woman who wants it, no matter what her race or economic status.”   CMF grantees include a Florida midwifery program that has succeeded in reducing low-birth weights and pre-term births among low-income African American women and Latinas and the International Center for Traditional Childbearing, a midwifery training program that successfully persuaded the Oregon Health Authority to research the viability of public insurance coverage for doula care to improve birth outcomes for women of color and low-income women   As Jennie Joseph, founder and Executive Director of CMF grantee Common Sense Childbirth of Winter Garden, FL, explains, "We started with the fundamental premise that every woman wants a healthy baby and every woman deserves one.”  Joseph, who is also a midwife, says that her organization has discovered that  “when a woman sees that you firmly believe that, she too is motivated to do the best she can for herself and her baby."    “Projects like this one demonstrate the power and effectiveness of midwifery care,” notes Daniel. “We invite funder and donor partners to join Groundswell in increasing support for community midwifery projects that have the power and potential to transform health outcomes for women, children, and communities.”  Community Midwifery Fund 2011 Grantees International Center for Traditional Childbearing, Portland, OR,  $15,000 Earth Mama Healing Inc. – Wise Queen Dream Institute, Sacramento, CA, $10,000 SistahCare, Portland, OR, $10,000 Sacred Grove, Oakland, CA , $7,500 Wisdom Spring, Inc., Sacramento, CA, $5,000 Sacred Birth Place, Oakland, CA, $15,000 Española Valley Women’s Health, Española, NM, $15,000 Common Sense Childbirth, Inc., Winter Garden, FL, $15,000                           For more information on the Community Midwifery Fund, please visitwww.groundswellfund.org.

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In November, I attended the Midwives Alliance of North America's 2011 Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The conference theme this year was —North American Midwifery: Beyond Boundaries—and this speaks to value we place on diversity and multiculturalism, and also on shared knowledge, skills, stories, and strategies. Midwives, students, maternity care professionals, and midwifery supporters from across North America attended to receive information and inspiration for achieving many of our collective goals.  One of the speakers at this year's MANA conference was Naoli Vinaver Lopez and her presentation was entitled On Curiosity and Love: The Ins and Outs of Birth

Naolí Vinaver is a Mexican midwife who combines traditional birth practices with a profound interest in and respect for the physiology of natural birth. She has been attending both waterbirths and births in traditional styles and positions since 1990. Naolí has enjoyed three pregnancies and homebirths of her own in the company of her family. She has written and illustrated children’s books about life, pregnancy and birth, produced birth videos for education, and devoted many years to teaching midwifery both in her home in Mexico as well as around the world while continuing her homebirth practice in both rural and urban Veracruz State, Mexico. She is currently living in Brazil, from where she teaches and travels and is writing a birth book and articles for midwifery magazines. 

2011 was a monumental year for professional midwifery in Mexico. A new law passed the Mexican Senate 99 to 0, recognizing midwifery as a profession, and including professional midwives in the public health sector. With Seguro Popular, the universal health care coverage, women can use third-party reimbursement to get free midwifery services at CASA (Center for the Adolescents of San Miguel de Allende) in Guanajuato. A recent study by Robbie E. Davis Floyd at the University of Texas, Austin, showed that services offered at CASA have a lower incidence of maternal and infant mortality than their obstetric counterparts. However, CASA is unique in Mexico and this video emphasizes the need for humanized birth across Mexico, to care for the health of women and their babies 

In this following video, Anne Wilson, President of the Canadian Association of Midwives, gives her views on the Canadian maternity system. This was recorded at the CAM/MANA/ACNM joint conference November 2011. 

While Canadians are among some of the healthiest people in the world, many Canadian Aboriginal people cannot say the same. For various reasons, Aboriginal people do not enjoy the same health status as their peers. In fact, Aboriginal people are over-represented in many negative health statistics. For example, rates of diabetes are three times higher in First Nations and Inuit populations, and rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and arthritis/ rheumatism are all higher than Canadian rates (First Nations and Inuit Regional Health Survey, 1999; Kinnon, 2002).  Sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV/AIDS, is a growing concern with Aboriginal people representing 15 per cent of new cases of HIV/AIDS (Health Canada, 2000a). Also of concern is the maternal and child health of Aboriginal populations.  It is reported that Aboriginal women experience perinatal and still birth rates that are twice the national average and 2.5 times greater in Inuit communities 

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                                                No First Birthday, by Shafia M. Monroe

Worldwide the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), is participating in September Infant Mortality Awareness Month with the goal of reducing infant mortality for every family. Please join the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), in observing September Infant Mortality Awareness Month by sponsoring a birthday commemorative called "No First Birthday". 

 You can observe "No First Birthday"  by placing and  lighting candles on a large sheet cake for each baby who died before age one, in your state or community. In their memory, we will call out one name per candle as the candle is blown out. This is in recognition of  all  babies who had "No First Birthday" due to infant mortality causes.  In place of the happy birthday song, we will have a moment of silence and reflection. The cake is not to be eaten but will receive a burial instead.  However, other food will be available to share. Parents are welcome to tell their story of the loss of their baby, and Unnatural Causes: When the Bough Breaks DVD, will be shown followed by discussion on solutions to end infant mortality. Please contact ICTC for the "No First Birthday" template.

Infant mortality is the death of a baby, who dies before reaching its' first year birthday. It's devastating to the family and their community. Their loss is our loss. There are many medical reasons for infant mortality, such as congenital abnormalities, premature birth, low birth weight, Sudden Unexplained Infants Deaths, (SUID), accidents, and pregnancy related maternal complications.

The USA infant mortality rate in the African American/black community has remained two and half times higher than the national average for decades and is climbing again.

In 2006 the African American infant mortality rate was 12.9 per 1,000 live births while the white infant mortality rate was 5.57 per live births. This is almost two and half times higher for black babies.

Infant mortality is deeper than just medical factors, it is a societal problem reflecting the health of a nation. Infant mortality is a spiritual and ethical social problem as well, that results in medical consequences for the infant, leading to its death.

In 2005, 46 percent of the black infant mortality rate was related to preterm birth. Preterm birth is tied to stress, poverty, poor nutrition, poor breastfeeding rates, lack of quality health care, community-based midwives and doulas.

As midwives, doulas and birth workers we can strengthen our resolve to reduce infant mortality through preconception health, access to early and culturally appropriate prenatal care, long term breastfeeding, father support groups, home visits, and advocating for social justice. Midwives can be the voice to challenge the societal inequities that contribute to poor birth outcomes; such as poverty, toxic environments, racial profiling, food deserts and racism induced stress. All of these determinants have been proven to contribute to infant mortality in the black community.
1. "Neonatologists James Collins and Richard David believe that African American women are at increased risk during pregnancy, not because of something innate to their biology, but because of the cumulative impact of racism they experience over their lifetime - an impact that can outweigh even the benefits of higher social and class status".

According to the CDC, infant mortality (death of a child before one year of age)
is "associated with a variety of factors such as maternal health, quality and access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions, and public health practices''(www.cdc.gov).

As midwives, doulas and healers, we must be the voice for social justice; and follow the example of the Egyptian midwives. They refused to racially profile the Hebrews and would not participate in killing their first born. Birth justice, is a byproduct of social justice. Birth justice for black women must address racial profiling, health inequities, and human right issues. It includes the elimination of easy access to drugs, guns and gang violence in the black community, fair employment opportunities, housing, better transportation systems facilitating pregnant and new mothers accessing culturally competent care, and increasing the number of black midwives, doulas and healers.

Infant Mortality Awareness Month, calls midwives, doulas and birth workers to educate themselves and others on the social determinants of infant mortality. Join ICTC to help bring awareness and solutions to reducing infant mortality.

Please join the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), in observing September Infant Mortality Awareness Month by sponsoring a birthday commemorative, called "No First Birthday".  Please contact ICTC if you want to be a part of the planning. We will host the event in the last week of September at the new ICTC site, 3821 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, 97212.

Infant Mortality Awareness Resources

www.ictcmidwives.org/resources.html

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=9026&lvl=2&lvlid=195

www.cdc.gov/omhd/amh/factsheets/infront.htm

http://revcom.us/a/087/infantmortality-en.html

http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/episode_descriptions.php?page=2

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Greetings!
A journalism student recently interviewed me for a research project and then produced this article that was published in Queer'd Magazine.

Midwifery The Birthing Process Reborn?
By Maria Murriel
maria.murriel@queerd.com

http://queerd.com/2011/08/07/midwifery-the-birthing-process-reborn/ 

Midwives play crucial role in reducing deaths during childbirth,” says the World Health Organization’s first State of the World’s Midwifery report, released in June 2011.

You may wonder, “Is this true? Isn’t using a midwife primitive, unsafe, or just way less reliable than the good ol’ medical technology at a hospital?”

Maybe not.

In 2001, midwives attended only four percent of births in the United States. That same year, the infant mortality rate in America was higher than that in nine European countries where midwives attend at least 75 percent of births.

The truth is that births have been happening smoothly for quite a while now, without doctors and epidurals, and midwives have been assisting women for a long, long time. Not to say that midwives hold the magical key that counters perinatal death, but perhaps the Great American Birth Mechanism needs a little performance review.

Although the World Health Organization said in 1985 that Cesarean rates should be no higher than 10-15 percent, the national rate in 2009 rose to 34 percent. That’s more than one in three women having C-sections.

“Midwives are becoming an option,” says Sheila Simms Watson, Licensed Midwife at Spirit of Life Midwifery, “because women have access to information now".

please read more...http://queerd.com/2011/08/07/midwifery-the-birthing-process-reborn/

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Recently we asked several of our Spirit of LIfe Midwifery homebirth mothers and other midwives four questions on the subject of midwifery as part of our celebration of International Day of the Midwife on May 5th. This is the response that we received from Leslie Whelan Cliff, a homebirth mother who answered the following questions:

• What can we learn from indigenous cultures about the sacredness of birth? 

• Midwifery is available to mothers in Florida, what would be the impact on families and mothers if this were made illegal as in some other states?

• What is your favorite birth story that you have experienced? What is the importance of storytelling during the birth experience?

• What was your single greatness moment of personal triumph during your homebirth or water birth experience? Looking back on it now, how did it empower you as a women?

Thank you Leslie for your thoughtful insight and advocacy of home birth and midwifery!

How would you answer these questions... We would love to hear your response to these questions. Please use the phone number below to provide us with your prespective. Midwifery Response Line  1. Please call our midwifery response line at 1 (512) 827-0505 ext 7365. 2. Record your midwifery response, and please do not worry about making mistakes or if you have to repeat anything...we have audio editing capacity and can extract the best parts. Just tell us everything that you can think of saying and we will simply transcribe the audio message that you leave.  3. We will receive notification when the message is left.

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The public is invited to the International Day of the Midwife Rally on Thursday May 5, 2011 at 5pm in Miami to raise awareness about the important role of midwives in improving maternal and infant health.

April 21, 2011 – Miami, FL – Midwives take to the road to tackle maternal mortality. Midwives and their supporters around the world are gathering to raise awareness to tackle global inequalities in maternal and infant health. On Thursday May 5th at 5pm, Birthworkers of Color United, a local collective of midwives, doulas, childbirth educators and breastfeeding counselors, will lead mothers and community in a rally on 33rd Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami to mark the International Day of the Midwife.

Over 340,000 women die each year, with millions more suffering infection and disability, as a result of preventable causes. Locally, in Miami-Dade county, the infant mortality rate is rising and disproportionately impacting African-American communities. According to the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Black babies are twice as likely to die in the first year of life as White babies.Birthworkers of Color United is committed to reducing inequality, through greater access to essential midwifery care locally and worldwide. Mothers and midwives around the world will be walking with us, in their respective locations. The goal is to demonstrate commitment to tackling maternal and newborn mortality by standing shoulder to shoulder with midwives and mothers around the world. Mothers and babies deserve to get the support they need through increased global and local commitment to midwifery services.




The walk on the 5th of May is the start of a journey that finishes at the International Confederation of Midwives Congress in Durban, South Africa, a global gathering where 3000 midwives will share evidence of what works to reduce maternal mortality and improve the care and support available to mothers and newborns around the world. For more information contact Jamarah Amani at 786-587-8741 or jamarah@gmail.com.  Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink

  
Mrs. Koroma will be arriving at Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery in Winter Garden, FL on March 14th for a week long emergency skills training , sharing and resource development. Her dogged determination against all odds is deeply appreciated and admired. Please support this cause - donate @ developmentforafrica.org/donate or info@developmentforafrica.org.

Thank you! 

Tour dates announced for AAPDEP’s "Stop the Hemorrhaging!" Tour

Black History Month is not only an opportunity to remember people and events shaping our past, but also a time to reflect on—and challenge—the current contradictions facing African communities.

 

The disproportionately high death rates amongst African mothers and babies makes infant and maternal health one of the most critical threats to the future of African families the world over.

 

The All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) is holding a tour during Black History Month to increase awareness of this neglected issue, while also generating resources for a clinic in Sierra Leone, which suffers from the highest global rates of maternal mortality.

 

The statistics are shocking and indisputable, yet often remain unreported.

 

Women in sub-Saharan Africa face a maternal mortality rate a hundred times greater than that of “developed” countries and nearly one in ten infants will not to live to the age of one year.

And black women in the US are four times more likely to die of pregnancy related complications than their white counterparts, with black babies dying at more than twice the rate of white infants.

Headlining the tour will be Nurse Mary Koroma. Nurse Mary has dedicated her life to saving those of mothers and babies in her native Sierra Leone.

 

She is a certified Nurse Midwife who stepped down from her secure position in a government hospital to work within the communities most in need.

 

With few able to even afford what passes as government healthcare, she witnessed expectant women and infants senselessly dying and suffering, as the massive wealth of Sierra Leone that could provide quality health care is looted.

 

As a nurse midwife, whose job it is to save lives and bring new life into the world, she could no longer be a part of an apparatus that contributed to the deaths of thousands of women and children. Read More

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Greetings - Passing this along.... I saw this great article and wanted to share it with you all. Please use the link below to read the full story.

~ Sheila~

While we all marvel at the miracle of fetal development and the wonders of birth, we very often fail to look at the miraculous organ the placenta. This organ grows from the time of conception to eventually take over the production of hormones needed to sustain the pregnancy at around 12 weeks gestation (from your last menstrual period). It supplies your growing baby with a means of obtaining nutrients for development as well as a method of waste disposal. This is the only disposable organ ever made.

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/placentas/a/placenta.htm

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Greetings - Passing this along.... I saw this great article and wanted to share it with you all. Please use the link below to read the full story. ~ Sheila~

This just proves it: Canadians are smarter than Americans, at least when it comes to birth. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada has announced that c-sections are no longer recommended for breech babies!

http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/06/19/vaginal-birth-better-for-breech-babies-says-canadian-doctors/ Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink