Sharing Resources
Growing list compiled by BIPOC Aspiring Midwives
Association of Radical Midwives
Provide support, information, leadership and practical assistance for midwives, student midwives and others so that maternity services are woman-centered, compassionate and human-scaled
Bay Area Black Midwives (Don’t Rush Video)
Certified Nurse Midwife (California)
Baccalaureate degree + complete prerequisites for nursing
Registered Nurse
Pre-Licensure Registered Nursing Programs in California must be approved by the Board of Registered Nursing
TEA EXAMS required by most nursing schools, important to clearly understand what nursing program you are applying for and what their requirements are
Both state’s approved nurse midwifery education programs are Master’s degree programs.
OR
Baccalaureate degree + complete prerequisites for nursing
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice
CLRJ is a statewide organization committed to honoring the experiences of Latinas to uphold our dignity, our bodies, sexuality, and families. They build Latinas’ power and cultivate leadership through policy advocacy, community education, and community-informed research to achieve reproductive justice.
Certified Professional Midwives (California)
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a knowledgeable, skilled & professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
Graduate from a Medical Board of California (MBC) approved education program (3yr program)
Curriculum includes academic & clinical preparation & addresses providing care in a variety of settings (homes, freestanding birth centers, & clinics)
Submit the following portfolio to NARM
Education
Clinical Experience
Pass NARM exam (approved by MBC)
Receive nationally recognized title of Certified Professional Midwife
Apply to oMBC for a Midwife License
Certified Professional Midwives then need to:
NARM re-certify every 3 years
Complete 36 hours of CE every 2 years
Contribute data on annual outcomes (CM annual report)
Renew their MBC license every 2 years
Apprenticeship with different midwives can take years with learning opportunities. Can apprentice an individual person or center. Range in experiences. Examples of good locations named by BIPOC Aspiring Midwives:
Chula Doula Midwifery
A midwifery practice rooted in doula philosophy. Online workshop facilitator. NARM Preceptor.
Commonsense Childbirth School of midwifery
Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery was designed to enable students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become highly competent midwives. They place an emphasis on teaching the art of out-of-hospital birth, differentiating between low-risk and high-risk pregnancies and preparing students to organize and operate as a professional midwife.
Can join a mailing list
Conferences
American Public Health Association APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. They are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence policy to improve the public's health. (Aspiring Midwife presented at conference, recommends space)
Ancient Song Doula Services Decolonize Birth Conference A group of reproductive health advocates and birth justice advocates whom have come together to draw more attention to birth justice. Drawing on what it means to choose to birth or not and the intersections that effect those choices. In August of 2014, Ancient Song hosted its first WOC Retreat. We realized that birth and reproductive justices advocates needed a space that centered the voices and experience of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in which to skill share, network, and release. Thus, the Decolonize Birth Conference was born. We are facing racial & gender injustices, communities being pitted against one another, and an attack on the sheer autonomy over our bodies. At this conference we are striving to address these issues and more.
SisterSong SisterSong is a Southern based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities.
Reproductive Justice Conference
Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (Individual Membership $50.00 )
Educational Resources
Black Women Birthing Justice BWBJ is a grass-roots collective out of Oakland, CA who identify as Black women and individuals across the African Diaspora and are committed to transforming birthing experiences for Black women and birthing people.
Birthing Justice Book & Battling Over Birth Report
Black Doula Collective
access to youtube channel, check out Reproductive Futurism
Elephant Circle : Elephant Circle brings an intersectional, feminist, reproductive justice, design thinking approach to this work. This approach will help manifest solutions every step of the way that do not re-inscribe status-quo power dynamics - making true transformation possible.
Blueprint for Birth Justice
Evidence Based Birth : Membership scholarships for Birthworkers of Color
An abundance of evidence based resources, including workshop/classes & educational materials for clients
Khan’s Academy free online courses that deep dive into different topics( including math, anatomy), some folx have found supportive while taking prerequisites for nursing & midwifery training/school
The Educated Birth Edu materials for repro health to prepare parents for well- informed, empowering births, and more
Financial Opportunities
Health Resources & Services Administration
Sign up for news and announcements, Loans & scholarships
Dedicated to increasing the number of melanated midwives in the certified professional and nurse midwifery workforce
Mentorship guidance to midwives of color as they matriculate from midwifery school as they successfully obtain and retain employment in the healthcare workforce
scholarship financial support to student midwives of color to assist minority student midwives with school related expenses and decreasing school loan debt
Provides scholarships for Black student midwives
Shafia Manroe Ayanna Ade Scholarship Black Student Midwife Scholarship ($1,500)
Weekly Wednesday chats with birthworkers
Instagram folx to follow:
@BadAssMotherBirther Flor Cruz, birth advocate and birth influencer “this instagram account really inspired my midwifery journey”
@heartsciencemidwifery Midwifery & home birth services
Kayden X Coleman Black Transgender Advocate/ Papa Seahorse providing 1 on 1 consultations, webinars, workshops and sensitivity trainings relating to TransMasculine Fertility & Birthing, as well as transgender rights (@kaydenxoffical )
@midwifeangelina Angelina Ruffin-Alexander CNM, Homebirth midwife Birth Activist, Mom promoting women and families in all their glory Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding area “ live birth videos”
@midwiferystudentliv & @midwiferystudentjaime & @student_midwife_studygram “ I follow them because they document their day to day as student midwives, I recommend these to see a glimpse of what midwifery school might be like”
@msoc.esfc Midwifery Students of Colour (Peer Support, Learning Opportunities, Decolonization & Dismantling Racism)
@parteramidwifery Xicana midwife for the resurgence of homebirth for BIPOC families “IG account worth following, so many great educational videos!”
QueerBirthWorker King Yaa, Queer + Trans ReproJustice Advocate
Listen to Black Midwives
Mama Glow
from the site : “Mama Glow delivers an array of offerings for women and families along the paths of fertility, pregnancy and new motherhood. It is our belief that women who are well supported along the childbearing continuum have an increased sense of confidence and maternal satisfaction so we strive to provide a sense of safety, security and belonging to everyone we support. Whether you are searching for the perfect doula, a great prenatal yoga class, one-on-one personal guidance or spiritual support, we have you covered.”
Mothers for Mothers Postpartum
Share cross cultural postpartum recipes, traditions and wisdom
Expose current postpartum realities
Promote Postpartum Justice in Black and Indigenous communities
National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB)
The NAABB stands firmly on ICTC’s 30-year legacy in promoting midwives, doulas and training programs to improve the care of Black women, persons and infants.In 2018, ICTC changed its name to the National Association to Advance Birth. The name change signaled a refocusing of the organization’s vision, with a primary focus on addressing birthing issues in the Black community in U.S. This includes a mission driven by advocacy, programming, and building capacity of doulas and midwifes in the Black community.
Scholarships for students, opens 6/2021 ($500 & $1,000 opportunities)
National Black Midwives Alliance
NBBA’s goal is to have a representative voice at the national level that clearly outlines the various needs of Black Midwives.
Mentorship opportunities
Webinars
Podcasts
Doulas of the Roundtable : This is a place for open discussions on the topics that impact us as birth workers. A place where all opinions are equal, knowledge is shared and hard topics are talked about.
The Savvy Black Birther : The Savvy Black Birther is a podcast that inspires, cultivates, validates and protects the voice of Black Mothers as consumers of healthcare in the United States. It equips the black and indigenous birthing person to become a savvy healthcare consumer during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. It is an educational and empowerment resource offering evidence-based information and is hosted by the community’s midwife Takiya Sakina Ballard, Certified Nurse Midwife.
Reproductive Futurism
Queer Doula Network
The Queer Doula Network believes that every person capable of gestational experiences should feel respected and heard. Finding LGBTQ+ affirming care can often be a struggle, and we seek to make it less cumbersome. The mission of this network is to provide a directory of queer full spectrum providers for queer individuals seeking support during reproductive journeys.
Wide range of ongoing workshops with dope community birthworkers checking out (e.g. post C-section massage)
Sumi’s touch is improving birthing Outcomes for Black & Brown Folx
“Centers Black vitality and so much more”
Volunteer Opportunities
Check out your local food bank “ demand has doubled during pandemic”
One Love Black Community Grass-roots Black led group of healthcare professionals and community members who Show up weekly for Black folx who access reproductive health services in San Francisco. Volunteer Opportunities for BIPOC aspiring midwives (interested emails oneloveBlackmamas@gmail.com )
Workshops
Divine Birth Wisdom Grandmother’s Hands Pregnancy and Postpartum Herbs & Nutrition in the Southern Tradition Workshop
Spinning Babies Learn fresh solutions for long, painful labors, fetal malposition (posterior, asynclitic, etc.), or labor dystocia. More than techniques, we teach you to see birth with eyes for anatomy. We believe baby’s position is just a clue. Address pelvic muscles with slow, sustained stretches and fascia techniques. It’s as simple as “making room for baby.”