In order to further examine why Black women and birthing people have higher maternal mortality rates than their non-Black counterparts (3-4x higher than white people specifically), we must learn the truth about modern gynecology {trigger warning}. __ In this photo, activists Darializa Aquila-Chevalier (23), Jewel Cadet (29), Alexis Yeboah-Kodie (23), and Jamilah Felix (21) protest at the Central Park statue of Dr. J. Marion Sims, who is considered to be "the father of modern gynecology." The protest was organized by Black Youth Project 100 @byp100. __ In the 19th century, Dr. Sims performed surgical experimentation upon enslaved Black women WITHOUT their consent or the use of anesthesia. At the time, it was commonly believed that Black people did not feel as much pain as white people and therefore did not require anesthesia. __ One of his victims, Lucy, upon whom he operated in the presence of twelve doctors without anesthetics, nearly died from sepsis (severe, systemic infection) after he experimented with using a sponge to wipe her bladder during the surgery. __ After Dr. Sims perfected his technique of fistula repair on his Black victims, he began performing the procedure on white women... WITH anesthesia. __ Institutionalized racism is at the foundation of modern obstetrics and gynecology. The system was literally designed to cause harm to Black people. Whether by gross negligence or implicit bias, this is the reality they face when seeking medical care. __ Action points: advocate for your institution to mandate implicit bias and anti-racism training for all employees. Call it out when you see it. Educate yourselves on how you are complicit. Connect with @rebirthequity for implicit bias training resources. Share more action points in the comments! 📷 @byp100

This message will be repeated here no matter the day, week, month, or news cycle. Black birthing people are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth related complications than their white counterparts. This is a statistical fact. This is the starting point for our efforts as birth workers. Until this improves, nothing else will. __ Why? Institutionalized, systemic racism is the root cause. The practice of modern Obstetrics & Gynecology itself was founded in racism and exploitation of Black bodies (google: J. Marion Sims). A lifetime of enduring these violent systems of oppression (including barriers to accessing healthcare, the school to prison pipeline, police brutality, and much more) leaves Black bodies more vulnerable to maternal mortality (google: weathering). The practice of modern midwifery was stolen and appropriated from Black and Indigenous midwives and birth keepers, who now make up only a tiny fraction of practicing midwives in the US. The concerns of Black birthing people are ignored, and their pain diminished (google: Serena Williams birth). When they enter a hospital to give birth, they enter a system that was literally designed to cause them harm. These are just a few reasons why we continue to see massive disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes. __ One of the best ways to protect Black birthing families is by supporting Black birth workers tangibly/financially. They are the ones who can best serve their communities. Link in stories/bio to donate. __ 📷 @everymomcounts

THANK YOU ❤️😭 to everyone who donated and shared. @tinyandbrave you’ve worked so hard year after year. I know this doesn’t fix the underlying problems facing the black birthing community. And it’s really just the bare minimum we can do. And so many other black birth workers need and deserve support. This work is never done. We love you. ❤️ __ Community: LET’S KEEP DOING THIS. __ (PS. @tinyandbrave started this fundraiser herself and many others donated and shared before I promoted it here.) __ Love, @katievigos

One of the most powerful ways we can show our support for black lives as a birth community, is to financially support black birth workers directly. @tinyandbrave is a midwifery student and single mother who was recently forced to relocate to NYC to care for her father who is sick with COVID-19. She is unable to work because of these reasons, and she is in phase 3 of her training after decades of dedication to her birthing community. __ THERE ARE 468,000 OF US. We can fund the rest of her training RIGHT NOW. In fact, we have the power to EXCEED her fundraising goals so that she can experience some much needed relief at this time. Link in my bio + stories. Let’s do this!! __ Love, @katievigos

(Reposting yesterday’s message, as it was brought to my attention the use of a black square + blm hashtag is actually harmful to the movement and activists on the ground right now.) __ As an advocacy platform and human being, I publicly condemn police brutality, white supremacy, and the rampant anti-blackness and racism within our society-- and especially within the birth community. Building and moderating this platform as a white birth worker has been a constant and humbling learning experience. It has revealed layer upon layer of my own internal bias and conditioning. It has caused harm even when I believed my intentions were good. I want to thank those who have performed untold amounts of emotional labor throughout the last six years by calling me out and inviting me in to do better. I understand the work of accountability and dismantling systems of oppression will never end. I understand anti-racism is not an identity to adopt, but rather a practice of *action* within myself and amongst my friends, family, peers, and community. I understand it must be the foundation of this advocacy work. There is little I can personally say to ease the grief and pain of my fellow human beings at this time. But as the founder of this platform I feel compelled to make the stance of Empowered Birth Project known: black lives matter. Black joy matters. Black birthing families matter. Black futures deserve to be fiercely honored, protected, and uplifted. Love, @katievigos __ #empoweredbirthproject

@crimson_fig shares: - - - - - - i am continually humbled by the power that shows up & out in homebirth...it looks different, it feels different, but only because of my #PPE #covid thee most petite client thee biggest babe in 7 moons sooo proud of them so humbled so grateful it is a rare, privilege to witness ones first breath it will always be an honor this.is.what.midwives.do. @who #YearOfTheMidwife #YearOfTheNurse #TraditionalMidwife #Ababelithisi #Sangoma #TraditionalHealer 📷: *asked to remain anonymous*

Words & photo by @laughing.moon: “Everything changes. But one thing will always remain the same. Humans are born and humans will die. Even in times of crisis. In times of war. It matters not what is occurring in our material world, for souls will keep dancing in and out, in and out, regardless. I find peace in that. I can count on death and birth.” #birthinapandemic #empoweredbirthproject

Just want to give a personal update to this wonderful community. ❤️ I have not been as active with this platform as I would like to be in a time of crisis. I know so many of you have had your lives turned upside down by #covid_19... your birth plans disrupted, loss of employment and insurance, difficulty accessing services, formula and diapers vanishing off the shelves, acute stress making birthing and parenting even more challenging... I am so sorry. These are really hard times. __ I’ve been preoccupied working on the frontlines as an ICU nurse here in Los Angeles. We haven’t yet seen the surge of patients like areas such as NYC... but we are preparing for it. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I feel as safe and supported by my employer as I could possibly be, and for that I am truly grateful. However, witnessing the struggles of my fellow healthcare providers across the country is heartbreaking. And also terrifying. __ My survival instincts have been telling me to decrease stress as much as possible, given the circumstances. I’m soaking up time with my children and resting on my days off. If things get really bad, I’ll be at high risk of exposure and illness. I’m getting my affairs in order for the worst case scenario, but also staying positive. I have been pouring the energy I would normal expend via social media advocacy into my self care and my family. I have been writing a little more over on @katievigos if you’d like to follow along there. __ I’m still working on more resources to share here as I am able. Feel free to share in the comments below what pages, people, and resources you have been finding helpful during this time. 👇🏼 __ Love, @katievigos #yournurselovesyou

You can save a birthing person’s life: BLOOD DONATION needed 🩸 __ Postpartum hemorrhage (heavy, uncontrolled bleeding) is a rare but serious complication of childbirth. The US currently has an extreme shortage of blood products due to #covid19 related blood drive cancellations. But— it is still safe to donate at a center near you! Please see most recent post for details. Photo @elliana_allon __ #covid19action #postpartum #giveblood #blooddonation

🚨Action Point🚨 The Red Cross needs 150,000+ Americans to donate blood this week! ➡️The Red Cross normally supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood. Since March 18, more than 4,500 blood drives that would normally have taken place in schools, workplaces, and libraries have been canceled as institutions shut down in response to Coronavirus. Supplies are dangerously low! 🩸 Blood donation is directly applicable to this community: approximately 1 in 5 birthing people experience postpartum hemorrhage (heavy, uncontrolled bleeding after giving birth), and a blood transfusion is a critical, life saving intervention. 🎉 You CAN still give blood! 🎉 Blood donation centers are considered “essential services” and will remain open even as we all shelter-in-place. Donation centers are implementing social distancing and other procedures to keep donors safe. You can schedule an appointment at Redcross.org, 1-800-RED-CROSS, or on the Red Cross Blood Donor App (text "BLOODAPP" to 90999 for a link to download.) You can also search online for smaller local donation centers that may have appointments open right away. __ See my stories for more info and links to make your appointment! You can also visit redcross.org 🩸 @americanredcross 🩸 __ Love, @katievigos __ #covid19 #covid19action #blooddonation #empoweredbirthproject

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A word from founder @katievigos ~ __ As a full time critical care nurse I will soon see the effects of #covid19 firsthand. It is just getting started here in California. I encourage you all to follow the guidelines released by the CDC, WHO, etc to mitigate the spread of this pandemic. Stay home, stay calm, wash your hands, and rest. This is a difficult time, but we will get through it. __ #yournurselovesyou