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Message from the President
Greetings to All,
In this February edition of the California Nurse Midwives Association (CNMA) newsletter, we celebrate Black History Month 2024. As your President-Elect and the first Black-identifying person in this role, I’m honored to bring you a bit of Black history from a Black midwife perspective. Let’s first pay homage to the mothers of gynecology. Anarcha, Lucy, Betsey, and the other nine unnamed enslaved women of Montgomery, Alabama who endured unmedicated medical experimentation. They contributed greatly to the advancements in gynecological medical technology that we rely on today. At the hands of Dr. James Marion Sims, these un-consented enslaved women paved the way for gynecologic practices as we know it. The development of the speculum and the invention of surgical procedures such as vaginal fistula repair were founded due to their experience. To learn more about the sacrifices made by these noble women check out this website Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey. We thank these women and the sacrifices they made so that we can serve our clients and provide gynecological care. As we reflect on history, let us take this opportunity to strengthen our personal practice and strive towards a practice that honors their legacy. My hope is that we can remember to provide informed consent and trauma-informed care to every patient every time.
Let’s also take this time to reflect on the history of Black midwives in the United States of America. This history is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of African American healthcare and the struggle for racial equality. As we reflect on the era of slavery to post-emancipation we remember that enslaved Black women often served as midwives for other enslaved women, their owner's families, and the greater community. These midwives brought a wealth of knowledge and skills from Africa as they developed new practices suited to the conditions in America. After emancipation, Black midwives were often the ones who provided primary healthcare to their communities when access to hospitals and white physicians was limited to Black folks due to segregation and poverty (Oparah & Bonaparte, 2015).
From the Early 20th Century to the Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921 there was a push for “medical professionalization”. This led to the marginalization of midwives in the United States, especially Black midwives. Let’s take a moment to reflect on how the medical community and public health officials portrayed Black midwives as ignorant and conceited. The initiative to abolish midwifery took the form of regulation, supervision, and education of traditional midwives (Bonaparte, 2015). The Sheppard- Towner Act of 1921 provided federal funding for maternal and child health programs and intended to provide training for midwives (Lemons,1969). Yet, these efforts furthered medicalizing childbirth and increasingly slighted traditional midwifery practices.
Then to the Civil Rights Era In the mid-20th century, when new attention to the disparities in healthcare, and maternal and child health emerged. It was Black midwives who played a central role in the movement, advocating for better healthcare services for African American communities. As we all know, the late 20th Century to the present day has seen a resurgence in interest in midwifery and natural childbirth practices, with more women seeking out midwives for a personalized and holistic approach to childbirth. Black midwives have been part of this resurgence, working to reclaim and celebrate their historical role, as well as to address ongoing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes for African Americans and indigenous communities. More recently to advocate for broader representation in the profession and to eliminate barriers to the professional pursuit of midwifery.
Throughout history, Black midwives have been crucial in providing care and support to mothers and babies, often in the face of significant social, economic, and racial challenges. This legacy continues to influence the field of midwifery and the broader healthcare system.
This conversation brings us to the issue of concordant provider care, where healthcare providers share a similar racial or ethnic background as their patients. This is important in reducing disparities in maternal and child health among Black and Brown populations in the United States for many reasons. Through cultural competency, trust, and communication, and by addressing bias, and providing advocacy and representation of the underserved, the CNMA can continue to make history with great strides towards justice and equity in midwifery care.
California holds an honored place at the forefront of social, political, and policy changes. As members of the CNMA, I feel it is our obligation to continue to lead the way in pressing for racial justice and social equality in our profession.
I am looking forward to making history with all of you at CNMA.
Happy Black History Month!
Sincerely yours,
Amita
Amita Graham, CNM, MSN, MPH, RN, IBCLC
Bonaparte, A. (2015). Physicians' discourse for establishing authoritative knowledge in birthing work and reducing the presence of the granny midwife. Journal of Historical Sociology, 28(2), 166-194.
Oparah, J. C., & Bonaparte, A. D. (Eds.). (2015). Birthing justice: Black women, pregnancy, and childbirth. Routledge.
Lemons, J. S. (1969). The sheppard-towner act: Progressivism in the 1920s. The Journal of American History, 55(4), 776-786.
CNMA Members!!
2024 starts with a renewed effort to ensure that your membership in the ACNM / CNMA is relevant, meaningful, and significant to you. Whether you are a student, a newly graduated, established, or a retiring nurse-midwife, we're here to keep you connected. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need help with your CNMA or ACNM membership. To highlight your specific needs and interests as a student or nurse-midwife, the CNMA Membership Committee is working closely with the ACNM to effect meaningful changes. But we need to hear from you about your priorities. Please tell us your thoughts in this SURVEY -- it should take just a few minutes, but your impact will be mighty!
All responses will be awarded a $5 gift via PayPal for participation.
AND, if you're interested in joining or renewing, please click here. Your CNMA membership is included when you join the ACNM.
Many thanks!
Melanie Cabezas Phipps, CNMA Membership Chair
Save The Date
See More information here!
Health Policy Updates
While the new legislative session gets underway, it's worth celebrating all that happened in 2023! You can find CNMA's accomplished legislation for 2023 here. Additionally, the Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California compiled a very thorough list of new laws signed in 2023 here.
CNMA Town Hall with Q&A
February 7, 2024 | Wednesday, 6:30pm | Zoom
“SB 667: What the New Law Means for CNMs in California."
Description: SB 667 passed in 2023. If you'd like to attend this meeting to learn more about how this law affects CNMs and CNM scope of practice in California, please register here: www.tinyURL.com/WebinarSB667
Space is limited. This meeting will be recorded.
Volunteers Needed!!
UC San Francisco Study recruiting CNMs to better understand their experience of Telehealth
Bethany Golden (She/Her), CNM, PhD Candidate and Dr. Linda Franck (She/Her) are conducting a study to collect information about how certified-nurse midwives perceive that telehealth influences their professional practices and interactions with patients in full scope clinical practice. We are holding interviews to learn more about midwives’ experience connecting with patients in clinical settings via telehealth. You will be offered a $100 gift card for partial acknowledgement for your time and effort.
Take a moment and scan the QR code below or follow this link: tinyurl.com/44dymehh
Are you either a midwife who has a history of, or are currently, precepting midwife students, or a midwife administrator or lead midwife?
The California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA) would like your help to better understand the barriers and facilitators for midwives in the state of California.
Online interviews would last 60-90 minutes and would be confidential. In appreciation for your time and wisdom, we will be providing participants $75 compensation after completion of the interview. You must be based in California to participate, the study is active from 1/2024 to 12/2024. There is a small possibility researchers may reach out with follow-up questions, lasting no longer than 15-20 minutes.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/GiZTJBMbVYSYKxQi6
Feel free to share this call for research participants with your midwife friends and colleagues! If you have any questions, please contact Anya Rapaport (ana.rapaport@gmail.com), Wallis Adams (wallis.adams@csueastbay.edu), and/or Amara Miller (amara.miller@csueastbay.edu).
Please share the flier at your places of work if appropriate.
Education, Trainings, and Webinars
king yaa! and CNMA has partnered for CE courses!
Birthing Beyond the Binary
Jan 28 - April 14, 2024 | Sundays, 10am-12:15pm PT / 1pm - 3:15pm ET | Zoom
Creating dignified, liberatory & decolonial reproductive spaces for queer, trans & non-binary folx.
This 12-week course expands on the definition of reproductive justice to include queer, trans and non-binary folx and the intersections of race, disability, ageism, decoloniality and more.
It is a radical invitation to slow down, learn, unlearn and plan for intentional and consistent changes in your practice. The course is a mix of live courses and self paced modules. Each module consists of videos, reading materials, assignments and journal prompts. The assignments are personally reviewed by king yaa and they push you to be actionable in your thinking. Each participant is encouraged to connect with an accountability partner(s) for further exploration of each topic, should they choose. By the end of this course, you will have concrete steps on how to center Queer Reproductive Justice in your life and practice.
A one-time investment: $749, payment plans available
Register Here.
Queering Up The Reproductive Space
February 9- 10, 2024 | Sundays, 8am-5pm PT / 1pm - 3:15pm ET | Zoom
Are you ready to move beyond performative gestures and embrace a justice-informed approach to caring for marginalized communities at the intersections of identity? king yaa, also known as queer birthworker, has developed a 2 day intensive certification training for midwives, nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health providers, childbirth professionals, social support providers, and anyone interested in reproductive health and reproductive justice for all people.
Register Here.
Transforming White Privilege: On The Path To Racial Equity in Maternity Care- A workshop series for self-identifying White Midwives
February 13 - March 12, 2024 | Tuesdays 10:00 - 12:30 PST | Zoom (COHORT 1)
See detailed flyer below. To register, please email a paragraph expressing your interest and motivation for taking this course to facilitators at transformingprivilege@gmail.com.
Postpartum Support International: Maternal/Perinatal Mental Health 101
February 29, 2024 | Thursday | 10:30am-12pm PT
Join over 3,000 registrants for this complimentary Maternal/Perinatal Mental Health 101 webinar hosted by the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health and presented by Postpartum Support International (PSI). Attendees will be introduced to a range of Maternal Mental Health Disorders, risk factors, treatment options, and more. Register Now.
2024 Maternal Mental Health Forum -A Virtual Conference and Networking Event - Policy Center
March 19-20, 2024 | Tuesday - Wednesday | Zoom
The Maternal Mental Health (MMH) FORUM is where cross-sector change agents convene, take in cutting-edge and critical content, and network with colleagues who are also working to close gaps in maternal mental health.
We will take a deep dive into:
Latina MMH (including the release of a Policy Center fact sheet)
OB integration and payment reform
Rising rates of Maternal SUD
The latest in MD Education
Black MMH
The Federal Government’s progress in addressing MMH
Two featured states taking “Large Leaps” for MMH
The powerful role of the media
Annual updates on federal policy and research
The Federal Government’s response and resources, including the
CMS postpartum care toolkit
MMH Taskforce and more
Emerging treatments, including Ketamine and FDA-approved digital therapeutics
Philanthropic strategies and more!
Register here online for an early bird discount of $60.
ACNM Wants to Listen to YOU! CEO Conversations
Wednesdays | 4:00 PM ET
Michelle Munroe, our CEO, is hosting weekly online meetings with members to listen and discuss ideas and concerns. Each week, 10 people can register for CEO Conversations. Please email executiveoffice@acnm.org.
ACNM: Advancing Breastfeeding Support and Skills for Midwives
A Webinar Series presented by midwife experts in breastfeeding and lactation medicine from across the country geared towards diving deep into topics that impact midwives, clinicians, and their lactating clients
February 28, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
April 24, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
June 19, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
August 28, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
October 30, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
December 18, 2024, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
ACNM: The Midwife as Surgical First Assistant
This course is designed specifically for midwives and addresses the promotion of vaginal birth, shared decision-making and informed consent, and functioning as an active member of the perioperative team. Attendees learn how to perform immediate pre-op preparation of the client for surgery, and during surgery provide optimal surgical exposure, participate in tissue dissection, ensure hemostasis, perform or facilitate wound closure, and perform other intraoperative functions to assist the surgeon in carrying out a safe operation that optimizes outcomes.
2024 First Assistant Virtual Workshop Dates — Registration is now open:
Tuesday, February 27 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on Monday, Feb. 5
Tuesday, March 26 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on Monday, March 4
Tuesday, April 23 (10:00am – 3:00pm ET) – Registration closes on Monday, April 1
Tuesday, May 21 (10:00am – 3:00pm ET) – Registration closes on Monday, May 6
Job Opportunities
Full Time CNM: South Coast Midwifery, Orange County, CA
South Coast Midwifery Boutique Birth Center is a very supportive group of Midwives looking for another to join the group. Full time, part time and per diem position is available. Compensation is commensurate with experience and licensure.
Schedule:
- every other weekend, 48-hour call (or similar)
- 2 clinic/24 hr call shifts per week
- 1, 24 hour call shift every other week (clinic as needed)
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off
- Group health and dental benefits
- CEU allowance
- Eligible for company retirement program
- Group malpractice coverage
- Employee discounts
- Annual salary + bonuses
- Please Email Lorri Walker at Lorri@southcoastmidwifery.com or 949 654-2727
- Check out our Website at WWW.Southcoastmidwifery.com
Part Time CNM: South Coast Midwivery, Orange County, CA
South Coast Midwifery Boutique Birth Center is a very supportive group of Midwives looking for another to join the group. Full time, part time and per diem position is available. Compensation is commensurate with experience and licensure.
Schedule:
- every other weekend, 48-hour call (or similar)
- 1 clinic/24 hr call shift per week (option for 2 available)
- 1, 12 hour call shift per week
Benefits:
- Paid Sick Leave
- Group malpractice coverage
- Employee discounts
- Annual salary or per shift compensation
- May maintain outside employment if desired
- Please Email Lorri Walker at Lorri@southcoastmidwifery.com or 949 654-2727
- Check out our Website at WWW.Southcoastmidwifery.com
Per Diem CNM: Sutter Women’s Health, Davis, CA (Birthing Center Only)
Sutter Women's Health in Davis is seeking a certified nurse-midwife to join us in a per diem role in an award-winning and nationally recognized collaborative practice working in the community hospital setting. Sutter Davis Hospital has a Level 1 nursery and offers a full spectrum of labor and delivery options, including low-intervention birth, TOLAC/VBAC, hydrotherapy/water birth, nitrous oxide, anesthesia, and a volunteer doula service. The hospital is expanding, and we are excited to grow our practice to meet our community's needs. This full-scope position includes obstetrics, family planning, simple gynecology, and group prenatal care. Additional highly desirable skills: maternal mental health, first and third-trimester limited OB ultrasound, cesarean first assist, leadership, support of physiologic labor and birth, and experience with LARC family planning methods.
Nationally recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives for Best Practice for our low epidural rate
Maternity Care Honor Roll recognition for excellent outcomes
Cesarean section rate among the lowest in the state
Full range of birthing options, including everything from water birth to epidural
Apply Here.
Full Time CNM: Sutter Women’s Health, Davis, CA
Sutter Women's Health in Davis is seeking a certified nurse-midwife to join us in an award-winning and nationally recognized collaborative practice working in the office and community hospital setting. Sutter Davis Hospital has a Level 1 nursery and offers a full spectrum of labor and delivery options, including low-intervention birth, TOLAC/VBAC, hydrotherapy/water birth, nitrous oxide, anesthesia, and a volunteer doula service. The hospital is expanding, and we are excited to grow our practice to meet our community's needs. This full-scope position includes obstetrics, family planning, simple gynecology, and group prenatal care. Additional highly desirable skills: maternal mental health, first and third-trimester limited OB ultrasound, cesarean first assist, leadership, support of physiologic labor and birth, and experience with LARC family planning methods.
Nationally recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives for Best Practice for our low epidural rate
Maternity Care Honor Roll recognition for excellent outcomes
Cesarean section rate among the lowest in the state
Full range of birthing options, including everything from water birth to epidural
Apply here!
Medi-Cal Rx
Sign up for the Medi-Cal Rx Subscription Service to be notified when new information is posted!
See additional updates below:
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Reimbursable Physician Administered Drugs
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for January 12 – January 18 Weekly Notice
Commercial Paxlovid™ Reimbursement and Update on Billing for Pharmacists Prescribing Paxlovid,
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for December 29 – January 4 Weekly Notice
Prior Authorization Request Requirement for Reyvow® (Lasmiditan Succinate) Alert
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes Alert
Midwife Crush Mondays!
Do you know an amazing Midwife who is doing revolutionary work? We want to feature them on our social media platforms!
CNMA is looking for submissions for our new social media series “Midwife Crush Monday” where we highlight the stories of trailblazing midwives across the industry who are making a difference in the midwifery profession. You can even submit yourself!
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Midwife’s name (include pronouns)
Affiliated organization(s)
Why you became a midwife (and anything awesome you’d like to brag about)
Headshot/Photo if available
Bonus: Please include social media handles for tagging!
Please send submissions to sm@cnma.org for consideration!