Accessible Midwifery Education

Greetings!

My name is Star August, although most call me sister Star. I am a Student Midwife (CPM), Birth Specialist, Birth Justice Advocate and the creator of Holistic Birth Collective.

My life’s mission as commissioned by God, is to make exceptional midwifery care easily accessible to every woman and family and to eliminate the racial disparity in birth outcomes amongst women and babies who are part of marginalized communities. To make this a reality, I need the financial support of my community and those who recognize the profound importance of change that can be brought about within our communities as a result of having accessible, quality midwifery care.

Black mothers in the United States are dying at a tragically disproportionate rate to other mothers. With a national rate of maternal mortality 3-4 times higher than that of white mothers, and sometimes as much as TEN times higher in certain urban centers, Black mothers need multiple interventions to save their lives. One proven intervention is receiving culturally appropriate and community-based care, in home, by Black midwives. In fact, only 2 percent of our nation’s midwives are Black. I aim to help change that and am working through my studies with a goal of completion by June 2021. I cannot accomplish this without financial support.  Please consider donating in whatever capacity you can to help me complete my studies so I can start working and making a potentially life-saving difference in the Black community as soon as possible. Please also help by sharing this post widely. 

If you would like to know more about the future midwife you are investing in, please see my bio below.  Thank you for your consideration,

Star August

 

Bio for Star August

Though I am now based in Chicago, I started my days in Sunny California where I studied psychological development at Saint Marys’ College of California. My love of birth was instantly inspired by the birth of my first child, and the amazing experience of embracing motherhood. My love for birth also came naturally to me as I am a proud descendant of a Black Grand Midwife from Texas by the name of Georgia Madison who practiced in the early 1900’s. I like to think her commitment and unconditional love live on through my passion to provide safety, respect, and choice to women and their families during the intimate and beautiful event that is having a baby. My deep desire is to eliminate racial disparity in birth outcomes among Black families. This social justice passion is partly born out of my own experience with the U.S. maternal health system through multiple hospital births, a c-section, and subsequent VBACs. I believe having a baby is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

On my own birthing journey, I’ve given birth in hospital, at a free-standing birth center and at home.  I’ve been attended by doctors and by midwives and have also given birth unassisted. This range of experiences allows me to relate well with women in various childbirth scenarios. I believe every birth is uniquely special and sacred, no matter the location or the demographic background of the situation.

Over the ten years prior to my current status as a student Midwife, I worked as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator. I have loved working within my community. I’m the blessed mother of four beautiful children, who has homeschooled for over five years.
I believe in taking a holistic and patient approach to childrearing. This is one of the main reasons I founded and directed a large licensed Montessori school while still in California.

Since moving to Chicago, in addition to creating the Holistic Birth Collective,  I have volunteered with Chicago Volunteer Doulas (a birth justice organization with a focus on vulnerable communities in the Chicago-land area) and begun my formal midwifery education as an enrolled student at Southwest Tech in Wisconsin  with a goal of credentialing as a Certified Professional Midwife after completing my program. My dream is to open a freestanding birth center after I receive my license that encompasses holistic health to women and their families, and ultimately provides a safe space for gathering collectively.

Trainings, Certifications and Degrees
●      AS, Midwifery, Southwest Technical College, Fennimore Wisconsin - enrolled

●      BS, Adolescent/Adult Psychological Development, Saint Mary’s College of California

●      Women’s Choice Perinatal Services, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist Training

●      CAPPA Childbirth Educator Certification Training - completed

●      DONA International Birth Doula Training – completed

●      Lactation Education Workshop for Doulas- completed 

●      Neonatal Resuscitation Provider  (NRP) - Certified

●      CPR First Aid Certified

●      Midwifery Apprenticeship / Clinicals   currently engaged


MEMBERSHIPS
●      Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives - Board Member, Diversity Chair

●      Chicago Volunteer Doulas - member

 

PRESENTATIONS –
Testified before the Illinois Senate Licensure Work Group regarding the needs and experiences of Black mothers in the US Maternity Care system on May 2020

 
holisticbirthcollective.com