Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
April 27, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
As maternal-infant health professionals, we must identify our own biases and the oppressive policies and systems in the environments and institutions that we work and practice in. I would like to recommend a very engaging and thorough free online Diversity Science course developed by Diversity Science titled ‘Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Project.” I recently had the opportunity to work through the three modules that make up the course and found it to be a well organized, thoughtful, and effective presentation that invited me to consider my beliefs and behavior. This work and course development is led by Rachel Hardeman, PhD, MPH, and Diversity Science, and is funded by the California Health Care Foundation in response to strong evidence of racial inequalities in perinatal care and outcomes.
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April 06, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
In 2019, 754 people lost their life from maternal causes in the United States. The maternal mortality rate for 2019 was 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2018, 658 people died from maternal causes and the maternal mortality rate was 17.4 per 100,000.
2019 brought 96 more deaths and a significantly higher maternal mortality rate.
The United States continues to have the worst maternal mortality rate of all the world’s industrialized countries. It is estimated that 66% of the maternal deaths that occurred in 2019 were preventable.
December 29, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Black birthing people are more likely to die in childbirth and postpartum than their white counterparts. Black babies are less likely to reach their first birthday. It’s a big problem with some simple ways for us to help combat it. Encourage Black Lamaze Childbirth Educator Candidates to submit their books lists to The Doula Book Project. Consider finding a childbirth educator, doula, or midwifery student in your area to support.
December 11, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
In 2017, a travel ban targeting people from countries that were predominately Muslim was instituted through an Executive Order signed by the President of the United States. A newly published paper indicates that this Executive Order can be associated with an increase in preterm births for pregnant people from the seven targeted countries who were living in the United States at the time.
July 30, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
There is something that all of us can do that can support Black doulas and midwives as they train to serve families. It is called the Doula Book Project. The concept is simple, easy to participate in and supports Black perinatal professionals. Black doulas and midwives make a “wish list” on Amazon of the books they need in order to continue their training. Once they have created their list, they can be added to the Doula Book Project website. Individuals who would like to support the program simply choose a doula or midwife, peruse their public Amazon wish list and purchase the book(s) that are need, which get shipped to the individual promptly. Simple, easy and effective.
July 17, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
While there is no consensus amongst Maternal Mortality Review committees in operation in almost all 50 states about what actually constitutes a maternal death, there is one thing that everyone can agree on. More than two thirds of the deaths that do occur during or within a year of pregnancy are preventable!
July 02, 2020 | by: Molly Giammarco, MPP
Lamaze International is pleased to announce its coordination with the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC) to present a webinar, Evidence-Based Childbirth Education: A Critical Strategy to Improve Birth Outcomes and Reduce Maternal Health Disparities. The webinar will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 11am CDT/12pm EDT and is free to all. All Lamaze members, parents, supporters, and Congressional staffers are welcome to attend.
June 25, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
There is a unique, free opportunity to listen to and learn from Ibram X. Kendi, one of America’s remarkable and leading historians and a strong Black voice helping to guide America toward becoming antiracist. Kendi is the author of many books that have topped The New York Times bestseller list, as well as the Founding Director of The Antiracist Research & Policy Center formerly at American University in Washington, DC., and relocated to the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research in early 2020.
June 23, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Your choice of language is always important, particularly if you are an ally and anti-racist. As a perinatal professional, the words you use; written, spoken, in videos and more, can further support racism or work towards dismantling it. Here are five critical changes that you can make to your language that really matter as you do the work necessary to be an anti-racist. I am working hard to make sure my language is respectful and accurate. I continue to learn how to be a better anti-racist every day. It is critical that you do the same.
June 03, 2020 | by: Lamaze International
Lamaze International acknowledges, and is deeply saddened, by the recent events that so clearly reflect the deeply entrenched racism, social injustice and inequities that plague communities of color. We believe that equality is a basic human right and we stand in support of respectful, equal and just treatment for all people of color.
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