Birth Justice
We strive to empower our community, by preventing discrimination against people more likely to experience systemic or individualized maltreatment within maternal care: BIPOC, members of the LGBTQ+ community, trauma survivors, and people who are other-abled. We do this by:
- Educating ourselves continually
- Nurturing an online community where we can learn from each other
- Finding and sharing resources to help care providers reverse negative trends
- Making tools available to help birthing people advocate for themselves
- Providing scholarships for birth classes and mentorship for new doulas.
Resources
If you don’t see something on my list, that you think should be there, Contact Me.
Your Rights and the Issues
Birth Rights are Human Rights!
- Learn what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects you from. Although the UDHR isn’t itself legally binding, it’s the foundation of International Human Rights Law, Treaties, National and Local laws, that are.
- “Know Your Rights” course by Birth Monopoly offers a resource for finding lawyers who are familiar with birth rights violations.
- The Rights of Childbearing Women, from Childbirth Connection.
- Human Rights in Childbirth is another great resource for learning about birthing people’s rights.
- The White Ribbon Alliance works to amplify women’s voices globally, to push for policy change benefiting birthing people.
- Evidence Based Birth® is a great resource for research on a variety of pregnancy and birth related topics, so that you can better weigh the risks and benefits for your specific situation. Accessing current research can empower you to speak out when you feel pressured or coerced to do something you don’t want to during pregnancy or birth, or to advocate for your rights when you request help that is being denied to you.
Racial Justice in Childbirth
Compared to white women, black women are 3.3 times more likely to die from pregnancy and birth related causes than white women. 1,2,3 Research shows that massive racial disparities persist even when statistics take into account income level and education. Here are some organizations working to solve the problem.
- Birth Center Equity
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Black Mamas ATX
- Melanated Midwives
- National Association to Advance Black Birth
- National Black Midwives Alliance
- National Black Doulas Association™
- National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)
- Southern Birth Justice Network
- Black Women Birthing Justice
- Evidence Based Birth® is an AMAZING resource for Birth Justice podcasts, webinars, books etc related to the topic of racism in maternal care.
- EBB Podcast
- https://www.birthbruja.com/birth-bruja-podcast.html
- https://www.birthstoriesincolor.com/Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving’s Story Explains Why, NPR
LGBTQ+ Birthing Resources
- Maia Midwifery is a great resource for everything from Fertility to Parenting Support Groups.
- Family Equality shares information on family building, as well as opportunities for advocacy and policy change.
- An Ally’s Guide to Terminology
Trauma Survivors
- When Survivors Give Birth, Book by Penny Simkin
- Survivor Moms’ Companion website
- Survivor Moms: Women’s Stories of Birthing, Mothering and Healing after Sexual Abuse Book by Mickey Sperlich
- Resilient Birth is an organization that provides workshops and trauma informed training for providers and parents
Michigan Specific Organizations
How and Where to Report Mistreatment
It’s helpful to report any discrimination, or mistreatment to the hospital, but complaints can easily get lost in the shuffle. Some additional resources for helping your voice be heard.
- Improving Birth toolkit can help you know your rights and how to report viloations.
- Report Patient Safety Events. The Joint Commission Accredits and Certifies Hospitals and takes into account patient complaints.