Black Maternal Health: Sacred Bodies, Sacred Birth
Sa·cred /ˈsākrəd/: Dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity. Worthy of religious veneration, holy. Entitled to reverence and respect. The concept of sacred bodies, sacred birth is highlighted this week during Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-April 17) in that it reminds us what it means to honor our bodies as sacred. To honor and revere birth as sacred.
While our bodies are vessels for birthing many things, the birth of human beings, of ideas, of thoughts and emotions, of beauty, of love, and of light, we focus on Black maternal health this week and how we can facilitate change.
In these final days of Black Maternal Health Week, founded and championed by Black Mamas Matter Alliance and their work to pass the Momnibus bill, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/959, the ways we can make an impact on racial disparities in healthcare, namely in Black maternal healthcare, has been at the forefront of the conversation.
Undoubtedly, beyond an empathetic and sympathetic response to the birth stories of birthing people I know and work with through The Sweet Spot https://www.itsthesweetspot.com, I have a new understanding of how I can support black and brown birthing people in ways that positively impact these statistics. As a matter of fact, this week incites a deepened commitment to honoring the sacredness of our bodies and the sacredness of all things that move through us.
Black Maternal Health: The Challenge
As has been shown, the underlying conditions contributing to the danger for black and brown birthing people include discrimination, structural racism, and lack of a diversity in medical staff. However, structural healthcare issues, and poor access to care also play a part. We know that all are contributors to a death rate of black birthing people that is 3-4x higher than white birthing people as well as higher rates of infant mortality in black communities. That being said, it is also true that these disparities persist regardless of socioeconomic class or education.
Black Maternal Health: Reframe and Reform
Although this may be true, with collective awareness we are beginning to reframe and reform this narrative. We are taking an active role and authoritative voice in this conversation. In essence, as we reclaim our bodies as sacred and begin to stand firmly in that power, change is happening.
Truly, the collective shift is powerful.
Black Maternal Health Week: An Opportunity
Black Maternal Health Week is observed from April 11-April 17. However, the work toward eradicating racial disparities in childbirth doesn't end there. Of course, ensuring black and brown birthing people have access to the resources and care they deserve is a priority. Likewise, ensuring safe pregnancies and postpartum care must be a priority.
Certainly, this week serves as an opportunity to learn and as a reminder of the responsibility we have to ourselves. It’s an invitation to educate ourselves and to act in whatever ways feel aligned. For example, that can mean learning to recognize and trust your power. It can mean your own way of educating and/or supporting others or just being a presence, a resource. Moreover, we have the opportunity to commit and devote ourselves to remembrance, reconnecting, and empowering black birthing people on a foundation of reverence and respect.
Ways to Support Your Connection to Your Body and Your Process
The Doula (Birthworker's, Birthkeeper's)
Doula: "Protecting and Nurturing the memory of birth."
A Doula has been said to ‘mother the mother’. We are amplifiers of the birthing persons voice and support them in their choices. “Protecting and nurturing the memory of birth", a Doula can:
Educate and assist on ways to naturally start labor
Provide emotional comfort measures
Administer pain relief techniques
Teach and assist with labor coping mechanisms
Provide lactation support and
Assist with communication between the birthing person and hospital staff
The Midwife
"A Midwife is a trained professional with expertise and skills in supporting women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. Midwives provide women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs. Midwifery is a woman-centered empowering model of maternity care."
Sacred Bodies, Sacred Birth
All in all, we remember the sacredness of our bodies. The sacredness of birth. Ultimately, we feel our knowing was never lost but buried beneath narratives that are not our own.
In short, how beautiful you are in your power.
https://blackmamasmatter.org
