Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN’s Post

The Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario recent expansion of the list of drugs that midwives can prescribe marks a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility. This initiative not only empowers midwives but also ensures that patients receive timely and comprehensive care.  As businesses, we must reflect on our healthcare benefits and ask ourselves: Are we providing our employees with the access to healthcare that they need? This development reminds us of the importance of inclusive healthcare policies that support the well-being of all employees. 🩺🤰 Would you like to learn how to make your benefit plans more comprehensive and inclusive? Reach out to any consultant from Cowan Insurance Group. #Cowaninsurancegroup #Cowangroup #employeebenefits #benefitsphilosophy #worklifebalance #EmployeeWellness  https://lnkd.in/gWxnAUiC

Important #research and #data on #midwives and medical #politics #maternalhealth and #maternalmortality are linked with #midwifery #growmidwives

Where Are the Midwives? As of August 2023 the number of active Midwives reported by the national certifying body AMCB is 14,215. The number of active certificates has increased year/year since 2018. https://lnkd.in/ghSBGWy6 In looking at the number of midwives/state, a critical question emerges. Why are there so few midwives in the Southern Poverty Block states? Why do Arkansas and Alabama have the fewest midwives/population density? Now look at maternal deaths in the US. According to CDC states with the highest maternal mortality, all located in the Deep South include: AR, Mississippi, TN, AL and Louisiana. We know WHY. Anyone else want to name it? A conservative political agenda, racism, and state medical society’s (primarily white-led) that persistently create barriers to practice for healthcare providers educated, certified, and utilized globally to improve maternal/infant outcomes. The Midwife. Want to improve outcomes of childbearing families? Stop applauding band-aid maternal health ‘innovations’, and invest funds to demand accountability for those that hold on to deeply rooted, generationally transcending POWER. #GrowMidwives

…and let’s extend talk of these ridiculous barriers to all APRNs! #midwifery #midwives #aprn #nursepractitioners #fullpracticeauthoritynow #racism #politics #barriers #maternalhealth #maternalmortality #maternalchildhealth

Why is “Money” a dirty word in the NHS? 💬 Recently, I faced an unexpected critique while teaching aromatherapy and acupressure to NHS-funded midwives. I was accused of being too “commercial” for mentioning my textbooks and courses, which was disheartening and unfair. This incident raises an important question: why is money often viewed negatively in the NHS? Healthcare isn’t free; it’s funded through taxes and costs billions annually. Yet, midwives and managers sometimes seem unaware of the financial aspects behind their training and services. In private practice, midwives who charge for their services often face criticism from their NHS colleagues, despite offering valuable options not available on the NHS. Whether in private or public sectors, everything has a cost. Understanding and valuing this is crucial, especially for midwives venturing into private practice. Setting realistic prices and tackling the challenge of charging for services is essential for success. If you’re considering going self-employed or want to understand pricing strategies better, join our Licensed Consultancy scheme to help midwives move from the NHS into private practice! Let’s tackle the “money” conversation together and find the balance between fair pricing and effective service delivery. 💰 For the full blog post, visit - https://lnkd.in/e7p_k8Tf #NHSReality #HealthcareCosts #MidwiferyChallenges

Evidence shows midwives are key to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. They can also strengthen the provision of SRHR services more broadly. Jolly Grace Awor of the USAID Uganda Health Activity knows that investing in and building capacity for midwives can accelerate progress toward the #GlobalGoals. #MNHMovementMaker #MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth

A new bill in Congress, the Mamas First Act, could mean increased access to doulas and midwives covered by Medicaid. This is a critical step towards improving birth outcomes, especially for Black birthing people who face higher pregnancy-related mortality rates. I do have some concerns as I ponder if we'll have enough doulas and Midwives in place to meet the growing demand? Not only trained but resourced and supported to show up as a powerful workforce. We can help shine a light on funding and payment gaps. Many aspire to do the work and have the passion but lack the resources and it's unacceptable. There is certainly more work to be done. Read the full article from The19th News, featuring Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) Co-founder and Executive Director, Angela D. Aina: https://lnkd.in/eW4Ct4tW

Legislation and community care policies such as this could really push the needle forward in Maternal health care. The points made here are spot on! Black and indigenous women are in need of doulas, midwives, and health professionals that see value in their voices, their autonomy, and their experiences. It can not be understated how impactful maternal & mental health professionals are in bridging the gaps before and after birth. So many mothers struggle to access mental health resources and the much needed community after their little ones have arrived. Often, doulas and midwives are a kind of 1st responder for those in need. I’d love to see what collaborative care models come from this space! And I ask those who are already doing this work… what can we do to make sure this doesn’t stop with legislation but is thoroughly integrated into our health care system?

This has the potential to be powerful.

As a board member of Fighting Our Injustices for Women of Color, I am thrilled to hear about the introduction of the Mamas First Act in Congress. This legislation has the potential to make a significant impact on improving birth outcomes, particularly for Black birthing people who face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Increased access to doulas and midwives covered by Medicaid is a crucial step towards addressing disparities in maternal health care. These professionals play a vital role in providing culturally competent support and advocacy throughout the perinatal period, which can lead to safer and more positive birthing experiences. However, I share your concerns about whether we will have enough trained and supported doulas and midwives to meet the growing demand. It's not enough for individuals to be trained; they must also be adequately resourced and supported to fulfill their roles effectively. This includes access to ongoing education, mentorship, and financial support to sustain their practice. As an organization committed to fighting injustices in maternal health care, we can play a crucial role in shining a light on funding and payment gaps that may hinder the recruitment and retention of doulas and midwives, particularly in underserved communities. By advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritize equitable access to maternal health care providers, we can help ensure that all birthing people receive the support and care they deserve. I look forward to continuing our work in partnership with organizations like the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to advocate for policies that advance maternal health equity and address the systemic factors that contribute to disparities in maternal outcomes. You can read the full article from The19th News, featuring BMMA Co-founder and Executive Director, Angela D. Aina, below. #mamasfirstact #increaseaccess #equity