Analysis Reveals Dobbs Decision Harm to Latinas WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 3, 2023 – In advance of this week’s Latina’s Equal Pay Day, the National Partnership for Women & Families and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice published a...
Maternal Health
Our Communities Hold the Solutions
A robust body of research has shown that this type of doula support is associated with better childbirth experiences and healthier outcomes for both parents and babies. Today, doula support is available across a variety of reproductive health experiences, including abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and fertility treatment, as well as in other life course settings such as pediatric care, preventive health care, critical care, and palliative or end-of-life care
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Doula Support
This report outlines the evidence that supports the unique value of doula support across different communities, the safety and effectiveness of doula support in improving maternal and infant outcomes, the interest of birthing women and people in use of doula support, and the current availability of, and access to, doula services in the United States.
Spotlight on Success: Tewa Women United
The community-centered Yiya Vi Kagingdi Doula Project was created in response to a survey of women in the six Tewa-speaking pueblos and as one approach to mitigate violence against women, children, and Mother Earth. The program supports birthing people and their families with about three prenatal home visits, continuous support while giving birth, about three postpartum home visits, and lactation support, as well as remote support, all within a birth equity framework.
Spotlight on Success: Open Arms Perinatal Services
Open Arms Perinatal Services is an excellent example of how community-based doulas that provide an extended range of prenatal to postpartum care can dramatically improve the health of mothers and babies.
Spotlight on Success: Roots Community Birth Center
The Roots Community Birth Center demonstrates the exceptional value of community-based and -led forms of the birth center model for communities disadvantaged by structural racism, intergenerational underinvestment, and other forms of discrimination.
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Community Birth Settings
Research shows that care provided in community birth settings can make a concrete difference in improving maternity care quality and producing better outcomes, including for People of Color. Care in these settings that is led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color is a crucial approach for meeting the needs of communities affected by structural racism and other forms of discrimination. This report outlines the evidence that supports the unique value of community birth settings across different communities.
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Midwifery
Research shows that midwifery care provides equal or better care and outcomes compared to physician care on many key indicators, including higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, higher rates of breastfeeding, higher birthing person satisfaction with care, and lower overall costs. Community-based and -led midwifery services are especially powerful.
Spotlight on Success: Mercy Birthing Center
The Mercy Birthing Center illustrates the potential of a nourishing midwifery-led unit within a hospital. The center is a separate unit operated by CNMs within Mercy Hospital St. Louis. It was established in response to women’s growing interests in receiving support for physiologic childbearing.
Saving the Lives of Moms & Babies
This 10-part series connects the dots between how different socioeconomic factors affect maternal and infant health, the outsize impact these factors have on Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and recommendations to effect the change we need to ensure all moms and babies thrive.
Poor-Quality Built Environments Hurt Moms and Babies
The Problem: Deficiencies in neighborhoods’ physical conditions impair the health of pregnant people and their infants
The Maternal Mental Health Crisis Undermines Moms’ and Babies’ Health
The Problem: Untreated maternal mental health means worse health outcomes for moms and babies
Substance Use Disorder Hurts Moms & Babies
The Problem: Health care and support for pregnant people with substance use disorder are inaccessible and inequitable, and instead they are shamed, stigmatized, and punished.