Bringing DEIB to Birth Trauma Prevention Work
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are essential components of birth trauma prevention work and are key to reducing the number of maternal morbidities and mortality that occurs. Each day around the world about 800 women die from pregnancy-related illnesses and most of these deaths are preventable. While the number is lower annually in the United States, it’s still alarming what Maternal Mortality Review Boards have concluded is that most of the deaths the occur are preventable. So then why is this happening?
This is due in large part to systemic racism and discrimination in the healthcare system, which can lead to a lack of access to quality care and a greater risk of maternal and infant mortality. Incorporating DEIB into birth trauma prevention work is crucial for ensuring that everyone has access to safe and respectful care during their childbearing years.
Ways to Incorporate DEIB into Your Practice
- Get to Know Your Community
One way to incorporate DEIB into birth trauma prevention work is by actively seeking out and listening to the voices and experiences of marginalized communities. Each community is unique, so it’s important to tailor what works to your area. Some ways to conduct outreach include community events, focus groups, community collaboratives, and surveys. By understanding the unique needs and experiences of these communities, practitioners can tailor their care and support to better meet their needs.
- Get Educated – On-Going Professional Development
Another way to incorporate DEIB into birth trauma prevention work is by providing training and education to practitioners on issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This can include topics such as cultural humility, bias and discrimination, and intersectionality. Practitioners who are educated on these issues are better equipped to provide sensitive and respectful care to marginalized communities.
- Take Action – Make Them Welcome
It is also important to ensure that care environments are inclusive and welcoming to everyone. This can be achieved by creating a culture of respect and inclusivity, and by providing language interpretation and other accommodations for people with disabilities. Providers should also work to create safe and comfortable spaces for people from marginalized communities, including people of color, Indigenous people, and people from low-income backgrounds.
Incorporating DEIB into birth trauma prevention work also involves creating systems and policies that are equitable and inclusive. This includes ensuring that care is accessible and affordable for all, and that practitioners are held accountable for providing respectful and non-judgmental care.
By addressing these issues, we can work towards reducing the rates of birth trauma and ensuring that all people have a positive and safe birth experience.
Here are some great organizations doing work in Birth Justice and DEIB in the Birth Community
National Birth Equity Collaborative
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality
By: Dominique Vincent