Let’s Make Cinnamon’s Dream Birth a Reality
As Cinnamon's doula, and someone who believes in the right to a safe and empowering birth, I join her in calling on friends, family, and anyone who considers themselves an ally, to support her in her goal of a natural, supportive, out-of-hospital VBAC under the care of the midwives at Full Moon Family Wellness & Birth Center. Lack of coverage through health insurance should not be the deciding factor for where such a sacred and transformative experience takes place. Her baby is due in April 2021, so let's rally around her and her family and make this happen because #BlackBirthMatters.
THE BACKSTORY:
After a nearly perfect pregnancy, Cinnamon went into her first birth hoping for a natural and intervention-free experience. As she explains, “Growing up I was so intrigued by birth. As I got older, I knew I would have a natural birth. My sister-in-law, mother, and grandmother did, so I always thought if they could do it, so could I!"
When she went into labor, the hospital admitted her at 3cm dilated, and shortly after, the interventions began. The doctor broke her waters and started Pitocin. Feeling increasingly pressured by staff to have an epidural placed, she reluctantly agreed. Her labor ended up stalling at 8cm, and she was told that, due to swelling of her cervix, she would need to have a Cesarean. This was her worst-case-scenario, but made to feel concerned for her baby and out of options, she put her trust in the decision made by the OB.
"They rolled me into the OR, and the bright lights blinded me, triggering my anxiety. The next thing I remember is my doctor saying 'Okay, we got him, lower the curtain.' My beautiful baby boy, Shyne Ali Connally, was lifted up so we could see him. We took some pictures while the nurse held him on my chest, and then he was taken away from me.
After what felt like hours, we were reunited and were finally able to do skin to skin and attempt to breastfeed. We were discharged three days later, and from that time on, I knew the next time I was to get pregnant I wanted to have a vaginal birth."
Read Cinnamons Full Birth Story Here 
VBAC FACTS:
A VBAC (or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is a safe and wonderful option for most folks who have had a prior Cesarean birth. VBACs allow for normal, physiologic labor and birth, fewer interventions, earlier skin-to-skin and breastfeeding, and an easier recovery.
Despite evidence backing this up, white birthing people are significantly more likely to have a VBAC than Black, Asian, and Latinx folks. The system is set up to discriminate against and discourage BIPOC from attempting a VBAC, often telling them they have a "low probability" of success. Enough said.
Cinnamon has hopes for the upcoming birth of her daughter, and she deserves to have the opportunity to realize all of them, outside of the hospital environment that's stacked against her in too many ways.
The Call to Action:
Between COVID-19 sweeping through hospitals, institutional racism in the healthcare system, and shockingly high rates of maternal mortality that disproportionately affect Black birthing people in this country, this is not merely a matter of birthplace preference. Everyone should have the right to choose where, when, how, and with whom to birth.
When Cinnamon envisions her experience this time around, she thinks about “having a beautiful water birth, being surrounded by supportive people that will gladly coach me through every contraction. People that will give me the freedom to make the decisions I want, and will let my body naturally go through labor without putting a timeframe on my progression. So I thought, why not try all you can to go for it! Make this happen!”
Ways Your Donation Will Support Cinnamon and Her Family:
- The total cost of midwifery care through her birth center is $7,500. This covers comprehensive and patient-centered care prenatally, and throughout labor, birth, and postpartum.
Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference for Cinnamon and is received in gratitude.
Please, SPREAD THE WORD! Sharing on social media, sending out an email to your contacts, or texting friends, will give us a far reach. Given the current state of this country and the maternal health crisis Black women are facing, I know people are looking for ways to show up and do something. Here's a great starting point.
We thank you!
#WeSupportCinnamon #BlackBirthMatters #BirthJustice
