06/11/2020
Dear Community,
During these times of COVID-19 and amplified racial tension, the birth experience of a woman of color and her child can be especially sensitive. As midwives, part of our job before, during and after birth is to help transform vulnerability into power. Midwives are working hard to change birth outcomes for marginalized families through woman-centered, individualized holistic care. This work does make a difference, especially when the midwife looks and shares the same lived experience as the woman she supports.
You can help ensure many births free from the numerous challenges that families of color and their midwives face during these times. Your donation to The Black Bay Area Birth Fund can create a safe space for a family in need.
Please support black indigenous birth with a donation today.
Most midwives have been swamped with families who have turned to home birth as an alternative to the hospital because of COVID-19. Some families have changed their birth plans because they feared hospitals would be overwhelmed, infested with coronavirus or because of visitor restrictions. (Most hospitals are restricting labor support to one person so they cannot have a partner and their doula or midwife with them during labor/birth.)
As an ally of safe healthy birthing, it is your beautiful responsibility to support black vitality in this work. A donation of any size would have a direct positive impact on several Black lives. Consider making a consistent monthly donation, such as a percentage of your income. This will keep The Black Bay Area Birth Fund vibrant, not just during COVID-19, but for many moons to follow.
Ways to contribute: Via Venmo: venmo.com/blackbayareabirth
or Via PayPal: paypal.me/blackbayareabirth
On a monthly basis, give a percentage of each client’s fee to the fund
Sponsor a birth fee at $6500
Give a lump sum based on your yearly income
Any donation helps
*** Share with your birth community and conscious folks.***
In the Bay Area, there are hundreds of BIPOC families who desire homebirth with BIPOC midwives. Currently, there are only 3 Black Licensed Midwives and a small handful of Licensed Midwives that identify as Indigenous Persons of Color. A local group of black midwives have created The Black Bay Area Birth Fund to support birthing for black indigienous people of color and their midwives. Now is the time to support black midwives in every aspect of the work. Funds go towards midwives so that they are able to support families and will not absorb the financial burden of taking on clients who are unable to pay the full fee for homebirth care, yet are fully committed to this revolutionary act.
The Black Bay Area Birth Fund supports the sustainability model for black homebirth midwives while acknowledging the racist historical medical system’s impact on black midwifery and the black community. The Black Bay Area Birth Fund increases the number of Black Licensed Midwives attending home births as a radical right to decolonize from the system. In alliance with other black birth organizations, this fund repairs historical imbalances and reclaims community sovereignty.
Do you know corporations or organizations that can support this work? We will be announcing our fiscal sponsor for tax write-offs in the coming month!
Did you know?
Pregnancy-related mortality rates are as much as 4 times higher for black women as they are for white women. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/disparities-pregnancy-related-deaths/infographic.html
Infant mortality is 2.3 times higher for black babies than white babies. https://www.marchofdimes.org/Peristats/ViewSubtopic.aspx?reg=06&top=6&stop=94&lev=1&slev=4&obj=1
Midwives fees in the Bay Area can range from $6,500-$10,000.
Medi-Cal does not cover midwifery/home birth fees.
Funds may be sent to:
Venmo or PayPal
Please send to your contacts and community!!
In wellness,
The Black Bay Area Birth Fund
Gingi Allen, LM, CPM
Additional questions: [email protected]
More about birth for those interested:
https://www.blackwomenbirthingjustice.org
https://www.mdedge.com/obgyn/article/221705/obstetrics/american-maternal-mortality-crisis-role-racism-and-bias
https://mana.org/healthcare-policy/racial-disparities-in-birth-outcomes
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221180521.htm
Midwife-friendly laws and regulations tend to coincide with lower rates of premature births, cesarean deliveries and newborn deaths, according to a new US-wide 'report card' that ranks all 50 states on the quality of their maternity care.
