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@themelanatedbirth

#Repost @eventidedoula
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In the US, black women are 6 times more likely to die in pregnancy related deaths than white women. Babies born to black mothers are dying at twice the rate of babies born to white mothers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This is a crisis. Further research has shown that class, education and offer forms of privilege do not significantly improve these outcomes for black families, indicating the undeniable role that racial bias, white supremacy and a colonial model of healthcare plays in this. We face similar challenges here in Canada, although don’t yet have the data to prove it, we hear stories from families and as doulas at times bear witness to the different ways you might be treated as a birthing person who isn’t white. It’s very easy to be a white person and wring our hands about this, to post about it during awareness weeks and ask what can be done and leave it there. But truly, what can be done? I am going to leave the details of some advocacy groups below to follow and include a link in our bio with stories about what is already being done. But more than that I would like to challenge folks in the birth world to consider their own bias and what they are tangibly doing to remove barriers to better care for families of colour. Do you provide scholarships for trainings for black birth workers? Are you connected with black care providers in your community? Could you support the training of black midwives and doulas financially? How do families of colour looking for care know you are a safe person? ARE you a safe person? What are you doing to further decolonize your practice and undo your own racial bias? We have to do this work, now. .
Beautiful art by @KendrickDaye
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Folks to follow and learn from: @blackmamasmatter @tinyandbrave @cornerstone.doula.trainings @villagebirthintl @birthingjustice @themelanatedbirth @ancientsong @everymomcounts
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#blackbirthmatters #empoweredbirth #blacklivesmatter #BMHW19 #blackmamasmatter #vancouverdoula #doulalife #birthworker #doulasupport #informedbirth

#Repost @rebeccacoursey_photosandfilm
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Newborn love. One of the greatest treasures of work is being able to witness the bonding and love that pours out of newly made mothers hearts and souls. This work is not all butterflies and rainbows. But small quiet moments like this mean everything to me. with the ever amazing @bstereo #familyphotography #bonding #loveatfirstsight #birthphotographers

Who’s ready for Black Maternal Health Week? What’s going on in your community?
#repost @tampabirthphotographer
You can find this design in my shop in time for BMHW! There's tons of styles and colors to choose from, too! 🙌🏾
http://www.tampabirthphotographer.com/apparel/
#BMHW2019 #blackmaternalhealthweek #blackmothersmatter

#Repost @kpphotoinc
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Waves🌊
Just in case you were wondering what contractions look like while your eyes are closed and focused. •
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Her birth story in bio link
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#birthphotographer #birthphoto #woc #motherhood #moms #motherhoodrising #blackbirthmatters #blackmoms #representationmatters #boymom #baby #birthwithoutfear #birthbecomesher #dallasphotographer #flowermoundphotographer #dfwbirthphotographer #stopcensoringbirth #woman #blackmothers #stopcensoringmotherhood #birtheducation #pregnancy #stretch #labor #laboranddelivery #birthcenter #waterbirth #natural #poc #representationmatters

#Repost @meredithwestinphotography
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Have you ever contacted your representatives? It’s super easy and I hope, after reading this post, you put it on your to-do list for the week. According to the CDC, “black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S. and are nearly four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women.”
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What can you do to combat maternal mortality risk for birthers of color? Contact your representatives and urge them to:
• support legislation to address maternal health disparities, specifically the Maternal Health Accountability Act and the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act
• take steps to implement legislation requiring medical students and physicians to complete cultural competency courses as part of their licensing or accreditation programs
• implement Maternal Quality Improvement Toolkits in hospitals so that medical professionals are better equipped to respond to the leading causes of preventable death among pregnant and postpartum people

Not sure who your representatives are? This link is handy! www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Meredith Westin | Minneapolis Birth and Postpartum Photographer + Filmmaker + Doula

@meredithwestinphotography | meredithwestin.com
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[image description: a birthing person has just delivered a baby. The baby is in her midwife’s hands and still so new that she hasn’t been lifted into her mother’s arms. The mother is supported by friends and family who all look at the baby with emotion written on their faces.]
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#birth #blackbirthmatters #birthphotography #minnesotaborn #igmnbp #healthdisparities #publicpolicy

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