birthFUND

In case we’ve never met, allow us to introduce ourselves! Founded by Elaine Welteroth, #birthFUND is a coalition made up of a network of families and partners fighting for safe and affirming birth care in America. Elaine experienced the lack in our maternal healthcare system firsthand during her first pregnancy a few years ago and knew then that things had to change. Our goal is to support families in need by providing them with midwifery care and additional birthing resources and together, change the maternal health landscape -- one family at a time, one birth at time. birthFUND is a movement -- calling on EVERYONE to face the truth of the birthcare crisis in our country head on. America is the deadliest country in the western world to give birth, our maternal mortality rate is 10% higher than any other high-income country and access to safe and affirming birthcare is often limited or unaffordable. So we’re digging in, boots on the ground. This is a birthcare revolution and we’re just getting started. Find out how to get involved: https://lnkd.in/gzipAdbm #birthFUND #maternalhealthcrisis #parenthood

Catch #birthFUND at #SXS2025 for a few days of powerful conversations on maternal health, leadership, and visibility. Join us as our founder, Elaine Welteroth leads multiple impactful panels and fireside chats with incredible thought leaders, including Tiffany Dufu Chelsea Clinton, and more. From exploring the maternal mortality crisis to redefining success for female founders, we’re diving deep into the issues that matter most. 3/8 - A Birth Care Revolution: It's On Us to Save Us, Fireside chat with Elaine Welteroth and Liz Plank https://lnkd.in/dbXwN5nt 3/8 - Inc. Founder House - Female Founders: The New Measures of Success with Elaine Welteroth, Tiffany Dufu, and Kay Koplovitz https://lnkd.in/ebKihe7S 3/8 - SHE Media Co-Lab - Fireside Chat with Elaine Welteroth https://lnkd.in/e7wtzrPK 3/9 - Chief Suite - Leading with Influence & Impact - Conversation with Elaine Welteroth and Alison Moore https://lnkd.in/ephmpdby 3/9 - Female Quotient Equality Lounge - Inclusive Design - Panel with Elaine Welteroth, Chelsea Clinton, Mary Stutts, MHA, and Kara Egan https://lnkd.in/gMWYijBA Don’t miss out on these critical discussions and join us in Austin, March 7-9, 2025! #SXSW2025

See you in Austin, birthFUND fam ?? The maternal health crisis in America isn’t new. What’s new is how we fight back. Join our Founder Elaine Welteroth at SXSW for “A Birth Care Revolution: It’s On Us to Save Us,” where she’ll break down how birthFUND is changing the narrative on maternal health—by investing in midwifery and empowering communities to reclaim birth care. This conversation isn’t just about naming the problem. It’s about mobilizing solutions. Saturday, March 8, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm CST JW Marriott Austin, Salon D https://lnkd.in/dbXwN5nt Have a question for Elaine? Drop it here and Elaine may answer your question directly during this session at SXSW. Who's joining!?

The National Association to Advance Black Birth is an organization dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes for Black people by advancing racial equity in birth care. They fight to combat the effects of structural racism and improve maternal and infant health by: Advocating for Black maternal-infant health through advocacy, research, educational programming, activism, and policy change. Working to equip birth workers and maternity institutions with the practical tools and education they need to improve outcomes for Black women and persons. Developing and supporting innovative models of care that are sensitive to the cultural and social needs of Black families. Partnering with organizations that are connected to and can help advance our vision. The NAABB aims to create a world where Black people can experience childbirth without the fear of racial discrimination, poor care, or higher health risks, ultimately improving birth outcomes for all. You can help support and continue this important work by donating to the National Association to Advance Black Birth here: https://lnkd.in/gjWCDWDX?

For Black History Month, we want to honor the incredible and brave Black birth workers who paved and dedicated their lives to the care of Black mothers.? Margaret Charles Smith, who is now recognized in the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame, delivered over 3,500 babies during her time as a midwife (1940s-1970s). Even more impressive? She never lost a mother in her care. She was one of the first of Greene County's official midwives. In that time of segregation, even if black women had money, local hospitals were not interested in having them as patients. Smith often had treacherous travel by foot to get to each mother and would sometimes birth up to 4 babies per night. Her role as a midwife went beyond just delivering babies; she provided comprehensive care to mothers, offering advice, support, and education on prenatal and postnatal health. She was an important part of the Black healthcare tradition, which was often a community-centered approach, particularly in regions where healthcare access was limited for African Americans. Smith’s legacy was celebrated in the book "The Life and Times of Margaret Charles Smith: Midwife" written by her daughter, Brenda L. Smith, which helped to raise awareness of her contributions to midwifery and the African American community ?We honor the legacy of Margaret Charles Smith and the path she paved for so many Black midwives.?

If there is one thing we are willing to bet on, it’s the wrap-around care that midwives provide — especially for Black women and people of color!! ???? Licensed midwife, DeShaun Desrosiers (read her story below) knows how crucial Black birth workers are in combating racial disparities and improving health outcomes for Black mothers, birthing people, and infants. Midwives' support goes far beyond just assisting in labor and delivery. They also provide: Holistic support! Support that goes beyond just pregnancy and birth and truly prepares people to step into parenthood.? Safety and connection! Black women don’t have to code-switch. They feel safe and comfortable with birth workers they can be honest with. Empowerment and Autonomy! By listening to the mother and empowering them throughout their journey, they can more confidently tackle the birthing process and parenthood.? Personalized care! Care that is genuinely one-on-one and tailored to each individual. Improved maternal health outcomes! Midwives are proven to improve birth outcomes, ESPECIALLY for Black women. Advocacy for families! Healthcare where the parents are listened to and supported in ALL areas. “By providing culturally competent, individualized care, Black doulas and midwives can help mitigate the impacts of racism that are embedded within the healthcare system, including addressing the causes of pregnancy-related deaths.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3pEdd2n??

Central Jersey Family Health Consortium has announced that its 2025 Black Maternal Health Conference will take place on April 10. This year’s conference theme is “Rise Up! Advancing Black Maternal Health Equity in New Jersey”. The conference will feature a dedicated networking space, an opportunity for organizations and professionals to set up a table to share their resources and services with attendees, and an interactive panel with leading healthcare professionals and Black Maternal Health advocates. “Whether you’re a healthcare professional, an advocate, or a community member, the 2025 Black Maternal Health Conference is an opportunity to be part of a movement that seeks to create lasting change in maternal health outcomes.” Check out their website for all of the info and to snag your tickets! https://lnkd.in/gkSG5izQ

“They didn’t just deliver babies — they delivered hope!” Today we honor the legacy of the Granny Midwives who were THE pillars of maternal healthcare for Black women in the rural South in the early 19th and 20th centuries. These women were family counselors, breastfeeding consultants, postpartum doulas, nutritionists, and advocates. Their skills and knowledge were invaluable and laid the foundation for modern-day midwifery. They fought against racial and economic barriers to provide compassionate care to women who were often excluded from traditional healthcare systems and are an important reminder that first and foremost, care must be rooted in trust. Their intentional care for underserved communities saved the lives of hundreds of Black mothers and their legacy continues to live on and shape the blueprint for community-based care models we see today. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gpA2sd5F

The Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice will hold its 8th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference on April 4th and 5th. This year's focus is on the role of fathers in addressing maternal health inequities.? Our very own #birthFUND advisor Charles Johnson from 4Kira4moms will be a conference speaker along with other Black healthcare professionals and Black Maternal Health advocates. “There is an urgency to disrupt the status quo in maternal health. We seek to raise awareness, inspire activism, and encourage community building. Participants leave educated, inspired, and equipped to continue the fight for Black maternal health equity.” The conference is primarily virtual and is now open for registration. Head to their website for all of the info! https://lnkd.in/ey8Aa9Y2

Last year, Colorado representatives passed legislation to reduce maternal mortality and address the disparities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The HB24-1262 Bill includes modifying the midwife licensure process, collecting more data on mistreatment experienced by pregnant moms, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. In 2022, data showed that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal healthcare desert. In 2023, a report showed that Black Coloradans were twice as likely to die during pregnancy and postpartum, while Indigenous Peoples were THREE times as likely. Addressing the ongoing racial disparities within the maternal healthcare system is a crucial component in improving the maternal mortality crisis our nation continues to face. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee suggests increasing access to varied healthcare like midwifery care, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities. We have seen a growing awareness surrounding the racial disparities in maternal health but we still have a long way to go in ensuring ALL birthing people have access to safe and affirming birthcare. If you want to know more about the work we are doing to support these communities and the ongoing fight against the maternal health crisis, head to our website below to read about our mission and get involved, thebirthfund.com Read more: https://lnkd.in/gRaP2BZh