Spearheaded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), #BMHW21 is a week of education and advocacy around the experiences of Black mamas. Through digital and community events, BMHW uplifts Black women-led entities to focus on the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes while also leaning on Black voices to drive conversations around tangible community-driven policy, programs, and solutions. This year, BMHW coincides with BMMA's Black Maternal Health Conference (BMHC), April 16-17, 2021. This conference creates a space exclusively for discussions about Black maternal health, equity, and reproductive justice. If you cannot attend the BMHC, we encourage you to show your support by participating in BMMA's Virtual Fundraising Day today! The event raises money to support BMMA and its mission of centering Black mamas and shifting the culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

President Biden signed first-ever proclamation marking Black Maternal Health Week

President Biden’s proclamation calls for all Americans to recognize the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing our unacceptably high rates of Black maternal mortality and morbidity. Read and share the full proclamation and the fact sheet covering initial actions taken to address the maternal health crisis racism-based disparities in maternal care.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ Video to mark Black Maternal Health Week

ICYMI: Our VPOTUS video can be viewed here!

Record a Video and Show your Support for #BMWH2021

Color of Change is asking you to answer this question: What would a world look like where we protect and prioritize Black maternal health? If you're willing to share your personal experience with the healthcare system, we honor and value your story. But they'd also love to hear from you if you're someone who stands in solidarity with Black birthing people everywhere. Record now!

Petition: Stand in Solidarity with Black Midwives!

This week, Lifetime released “Beware of the Midwife,” a film that depicts a Black midwife hired to assist a couple with the birth of their baby in their home, who then kidnaps the child. The movie casts midwifery, especially home birth midwifery, in a detrimental light, and its release during Black Maternal Health Week is especially harmful due to its negative portrayal of Black midwives. We oppose this film and the harmful messages it communicates. Maternal mortality rates are disproportionately high among Black mothers, often due to lack of adequate care and racial disparities that create gaps between health care professionals and patients. Midwifery and Black midwives specifically have played a critical role in improving birth outcomes in the Black community. This film’s biased message is detrimental to efforts to expand midwifery care and foster trust among our patients and health care colleagues. Please sign the Change.org petition to have the movie removed from Lifetime and encourage others to sign as well.

California Health Policy

SB 65 (Skinner) - California’s Momnibus!

CNMA is a proud co-sponsor of SB 65 (Skinner), the California Momnibus. SB 65 was heard in the Senate Health Committee on 4/14/21, and passed through committee unanimously and with bipartisan support! Next step will be the Human Services Committee. Learn more about this important bill here.

Virtual Advocacy Day: Save the Date and Register!

Every year, CNMA meets with state representatives to discuss pressing issues and active legislation with the goal of promoting midwifery and maternal health care in the state. This year, Advocacy Day will be virtual! The big event will take place on May 20th, with advance training taking place on May 11th. Register here!

This is your chance to urge legislators to pass SB 65, the "Momnibus" bill, which will – among other things – increase funding to midwifery education programs. Like lobby days of the past, we will assign you to a group of midwives with the same Senator and/or Assembly Member, and we will arrange for a short session with these legislators (but this year via Zoom!). Since the time of your visit will not be known until shortly before Advocacy Day, please keep your schedule clear for May 20th, just like you would for an in-person event. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but we have included suggested donations for your Advocacy Day ticket. Don't miss out on an important opportunity to be a part of this historic bill!

National Health Policy

Congressional Hearing: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis

On March 23, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing to address the maternal health crisis in this country. As one of CNMA’s members shared, “It was inspiring to hear congressional members address maternal morbidity and mortality issues, and to hear that growing midwifery and birth centers is part of the solution!” Watch the recorded hearing here.

Education, Trainings, and Webinars

Screening for Human Trafficking in a Health Care Setting

The health care team is a vital partner in addressing the human trafficking situation in the U.S. and around the world. This presentation takes on the extraordinarily hidden and complex challenge of screening for human trafficking in the health care system. Included in this presentation is the identification of the multiple trafficking types, behaviors and dynamics which play out in these situations, as well as "red flag" warning signs. This webinar takes place on April 19th, from 4 PM - 5:30 PM PST, and offers 1 (one) CEU. Members: $24.99 | Student Members: $14.99 | Non-Members: $49.99. Register here.

Symposium on Fostering Cultural Respect: A deep dive into racial health disparities, implicit bias, and the maternal mortality crisis

The Santa Barbara/Ventura County and LA Valley AWHONN chapters invite you to a dynamic symposium for health equity. Speakers from the fields of Nursing, Psychology and Midwifery will present a multi-faceted understanding of Racial Health Disparities and the Maternal Mortality Crisis affecting our country. Participants will examine numerous factors contributing to racial health disparities and consider how education is the first step

CNMA.ORG

California Nurse-Midwives Association

April 2021 | Mid-Month April

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Black Maternal Health Week