March 14, 2025, Officially Recognized as 'Black Midwives Day': Resolution Aims to Tackle Maternal Health Crisis

This resolution officially designates March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day," and it's about way more than just a date on the calendar. It's a direct response to the serious maternal health crisis in the US, especially for Black women, and pushes for real changes in how we approach maternal care.

Spotlight on Black Midwives

The resolution acknowledges the critical role Black midwives play in improving maternal and infant health. It directly connects the need for more Black midwives to tackling the massive disparities we see in maternal mortality rates. Black women are dying at a rate of 50.3 per 100,000 live births, compared to 14.5 for White women. That's not just a statistic; it's a crisis, and this resolution is calling it out.

Real-World Impact: Better Care, Lower Costs

This isn't just about recognition; it's about action. The resolution points out that over 2.2 million women of childbearing age live in areas without adequate maternity care. Think about that – that's like entire cities lacking basic healthcare for pregnant women and new moms. Midwife-led care is highlighted as a solution that not only improves health outcomes (fewer C-sections, fewer preterm births) but also saves money. For example, a family might see lower medical bills because midwife-led care often involves fewer interventions.

Pushing for Change: Funding, Access, and Equity

The resolution calls for concrete steps to increase the number of Black midwives and make their services more accessible. It's pushing for:

• More Money: Increased funding for education, training, and mentorship programs specifically for Black midwives.
• Breaking Down Barriers: Removing obstacles that prevent Black midwives from practicing to the full extent of their training.
• Coverage for Everyone: Ensuring that programs like TRICARE and Medicaid cover midwife-led care.
• Full exercise of training: Encouraging federal and state governments to authorize midwives to practice to the full extent of their training.
• Destigmatize and Decriminalize: Encouraging the destigmatization and decriminalization of all midwifery pathways.

Basically, it's saying, "Let's invest in a solution that we know works, and let's make sure it's available to everyone, regardless of race or location." It highlights specific disparities, like Black women's maternal mortality rates being significantly higher than other groups (Section 1), and connects these disparities to the need for culturally competent care (Section 1).

What's Next?

While this resolution is a significant step, it's also a call to action. It encourages federal, state, and local governments to address these issues head-on by supporting policies that promote health equity and remove systemic barriers. It is a commitment to working with stakeholders, such as the National Black Midwives Alliance, to create policies that support Black midwifery and improve maternal health outcomes for all (Section 2).