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.
Incarceration Harms Moms & Babies
The Problem: Mass incarceration is hurting pregnant people and their infants.
Racism Hurts Moms and Babies
The Problem: Racism is hazardous to the health of pregnant people and their infants
Higher Temperatures Hurt Moms and Babies
The Problem: Our climate is getting hotter and it risks the health of moms and babies
Intimate Partner Violence Endangers Pregnant People and Their Infants
The Problem: Violence against pregnant people inflicts lasting harm on them and their babies
Paid Leave Is Essential for Healthy Moms and Babies
The Problem: The lack of national paid leave compromises the health and well-being of pregnant people and their infants
Homelessness Hurts Moms and Babies
The Problem: The homelessness crisis is worsening and imperils pregnant people and their infants.
A Systemic Failure: Immigrant Moms and Babies Are Being Denied Health Care
The Problem: Many immigrants are denied access to health care, leaving moms and babies at risk
Improving Our Maternity Care Now
These four models of care share characteristics that distinguish them from the typical maternal care currently available in the United States.
Spotlight on Success: The Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative
The Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative was a federal five-year, multi-site project to test and evaluate enhanced prenatal care interventions for women enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) who were at risk for having a preterm birth. One of the first Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation initiatives, it launched in 2012 to test three models of enhanced prenatal care among Medicaid beneficiaries: birth centers, group prenatal care, and maternity care homes. Midwifery-led care in birth centers generated stellar results, whereas results of the other two care models were underwhelming.
Spotlight on Success: Commonsense Childbirth
Commonsense Childbirth is a midwifery-led practice in Orlando, Fla., that provides a range of clinical and support services to any pregnant person seeking care.
Improving Our Maternity Care Now – Executive Summary
Four care models decisionmakers must implement for healthier moms and babies
Improving Our Maternity Care Now – Recommendations
Congress can play a pivotal role in addressing the maternal health crisis and supporting evidence-based models that improve the health of mothers and infants — particularly in communities that are suffering from deep structural inequities.