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Birth Justice Now: Fighting for Black Maternal Health & Birth Equity
- Doula Synergy
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy
Today is the first day of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17)- a time to recognize and address the deep disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women and birthing people. Black individuals in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
This is not just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
Why Black Maternal Health Matters
The Black maternal health crisis is fueled by multiple factors, including racism in healthcare, lack of access to quality care, and social determinants of health like housing, income, and nutrition. These disparities are not due to biological differences but rather systemic racism and bias in medical settings.
We must shift the conversation beyond individual responsibility and recognize that the healthcare system itself needs reform. Black birthing people deserve to be heard, valued, and supported throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
The Critical Role of Doula Support
Doulas play a vital role in improving maternal health outcomes by offering:
🤲🏽 Culturally competent, affirming care
🗣 Advocacy & informed decision-making support
❤️ Emotional, physical & educational support
👩🏾⚕️ A bridge between families & medical providers
Research shows that doula care leads to:
✅ Lower rates of C-sections and interventions
✅ Higher rates of breastfeeding success
✅ Improved mental health postpartum
✅ Better overall birth experiences
When Black birthing people receive support from Black doulas, midwives, and culturally aware providers, their outcomes improve.
📢 Don’t Miss Push: Black Mamas Changing the Culture of Birth
A powerful new play presented by Beirut Wedding, April 25-26, 2025.
✨ Written by Dr. Roberta Hunte & Bobby Bermea, Push shares the real-life experiences of Black birthing people, midwives, and public health workers navigating systemic challenges in U.S. medical settings. It’s a moving and urgent call for change—filled with humanity, joy, and resilience.
📅 Book your tickets now!🎟 [Tickets Here]
How You Can Take Action
Support Black-led Maternal Health Organizations:
These organizations are leading the fight for birth equity and need our collective support:
🔹 Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) – blackmamasmatter.org
🔹 National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC) – birthequity.org
🔹 The Afiya Center – theafiyacenter.org
🔹 Sisters in Loss – sistersinloss.com
🔹 Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) – bwhi.org
🔹 Commonsense Childbirth & The JJ Way® – commonsensechildbirth.org
🔹 Moms Rising – Maternal Justice – momsrising.org
🔹 Nurturely – nurturely.org –
Raise Awareness & Build Community
📢 Share resources and amplify Black voices in maternal health.
💜 Support policies that improve healthcare access and dismantle systemic racism.
👩🏾⚕️ Advocate for more Black midwives, doulas, and OB/GYNs.
Together, we can ensure that Black birthing people receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve. Let’s uplift, support, and fight for Black maternal health! 🖤
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