April 11th-17th is Black Maternal Health Week.  Due to both historical and ongoing racism, inequities and oppression, outcomes for Black parents and babies is significantly worse than for their non-Black peers. Black parents and their families should be centered and supported as they grow their families.  They should be lifted up and receive respectful, culturally appropriate and evidence-based care.  Perinatal professionals can be a resource for Black families, helping them to feel informed, supporting their decisions and offering information that can be used during their pregnancy, birth and early parenting time.

The National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB) created and published the Black Birthing Bill of Rights in 2020 and states that:

...all Black women and birthing persons are entitled to respectful, equitable, and high-quality pre – and postpartum care. The Black Birthing Bill of Rights is a resource for every black person that engages in maternity care. We want each black woman and birthing person to know their rights and to have the tools to confidently exercise these rights. The Bill of Rights also serves as guidance for government programs, hospitals, maternity providers and others as they transform their policies, procedures, and practices to meet the needs of Black birthing people."

The Black Birthing Bill of Rights is a beautifully illustrated poster that reinforces, with stunning graphics and short statements, the type of care and resources that Black families deserve, no matter where they are birthing.

I invite you not only to share this poster, but to assess how you can lean in to support Black birthing families in your community and beyond.  Step up to collaborate with and lift up the Black led organizations working near you to support their communities.  Consider how you can cover this information in your childbirth classes and with your clients.  Are there Black perinatal professionals in your communities who can use your support?  Each of us has something to offer and needs to take action.  There is no time to waste.  Parents and babies are dying.  Please explore the National Association to Advance Black Birth for resources, advocacy needs and more information along with access to this remarkable poster.

Published: April 17, 2020

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