With an increasing interest in reproductive health, I recently conducted an independent study into the politics of reproduction, looking at the intersections of colonialism, capitalism, and racism, with reproductive politics. I learned many things, but the most poignant discovery is that the field of obstetrics and gynecology was historically (and is currently) a violent and dangerous space for Black and Indigenous people. Black and Indigenous pregnant people are 2-3 times more likely to die from childbirth-related complications--This is in one of the richest countries in the world.
The iatrogenic practices of american obstetrics are mostly based on unscientific notions of modernity, safety, and control. In fact, the field of obstetrics is known for having the fewest trials to test their methods and for being the most likely to ignore the results of the trials they do perform. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/10/09/the-score
Yet, this model has been a major part of cultural imperialism, affecting the birthing practices of many countries around the world. 

Contrarily, midwifery is correlated with more positive birth outcomes across the board. The WHO (World Health Organization) states that "83% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths, and newborn deaths could be averted with the full package of midwifery care (including family planning)." And "Midwifery is associated with reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity, reduced interventions in labour, improved psychosocial outcomes and increased birth spacing and contraceptive use" 
https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/quality-of-care/midwifery/case-for-midwifery/en/

 The need for Black providers in the United States specifically is even more dire. 
"Although Black newborns are three times as likely to die as White newborns when Black babies were cared for by Black doctors after birth, their mortality rate was cut in half. " https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/black-baby-death-rate-cut-by-black-doctors/2021/01/08/e9f0f850-238a-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html

This is an all too familiar story for black women like myself. I truly believe that the number one mitigation for the black maternal and infant mortality crisis in the United States is increasing diversity in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in family medicine. The CDC states that the two most important mitigating factors are "standardized protocol" and "addressing implicit bias." What they fail to mention is the historical work of black midwives and the success that the field of midwifery produces over and over again. 

I would like to continue my fight for reproductive justice through education and midwifery work. I was recently accepted into the Columbia University School of Nursing MSN/DNP program specializing in Midwifery. The estimated cost of attendance for the 1st year of this 3 year and 3 month program is $135,000. The estimated cost of attendance for the next 2 years in the DNP program is $220,000. I have received $40,000 in scholarship for this first year and will receive $40,000 for the DNP program. This leaves an approximate cost of $275,000.

Although my mother supports me fully, I would never ask her to contribute to my education because she is a single mother trying to take care of my two brothers and herself on a salary below $40,000. 
I am currently working and saving up, but also have to still pay tuition for my undergraduate education. Additionally, I have $20,000 in loans already. The MSN program is so accelerated that I will likely not be able to work, but of course, I will try. 

If you would like to help fund a black midwife, please give anything you can!

Thank you, 

Bekah Reason