BECOME A MOTHER LOVER
Anyone can love mothers it doesn’t matter who they are.
The idea behind Mother Lovers is a simple one: No one should have to mother alone. In the face of systems bigger than us, we also know that no one can create change alone. Here are a few ways in which you can start to be a Mother Lover.
GET INFORMED
BORN FREE: BIRTH IN AMERICA is a deep dive into the real cost of birth in the United States.
Filmmaker Paula James Martinez travels across the United States to understand what makes it the most dangerous and expensive nation to give birth in. From heartbreaking personal stories and harrowing facts to perspectives of experts both in the medical and legal fields, BORN FREE shines a light on the true cost of giving birth in the US. The film is an invitation for every American to start a conversation about the state of maternal health.
Currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Tubi. A percentage of each download goes back towards funding for Mother Lover investments in grassroots programs for community health.
AWARENESS & ACTION
Start A Conversation
Being a Mother Lover can be as simple as starting a conversation with the birthing people in your life. What was their experience? If they are pregnant or looking to get pregnant do they know their options? Learning how to advocate for the people in your life may save their life!
Get Active in Your Community
Consider donating, volunteering, or joining a grassroot organization in your community! Many birthing centers, nonprofits, and advocacy groups need more support to continue providing their services to those who need it most.
Spread The Word
Inform your community and spread the word on social media! Give us a follow, and share our post with your community!
Partner With Us
Say hello, and lets work together!
SUPPORT A BIRTH WORKER
Doulas Improve Outcomes.
It is statistically proven that doulas can have huge benefits for mothers. In fact, a large scale study of over 15,000 women from 17 countries found that compared to birthing people with no labor support, those with a labor companion such as a doula were more likely to have a shorter labor, less likely to need drugs to speed up labor, less likely to use any pain medication while giving birth and less likely to have their babies admitted to a special care nursery.
Midwives For Everyone
The Midwifery Model of Care is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth.
Studies have also shown that midwives help lower rates of cesarean births and unnecessary interventions during childbirth, and pregnant people cared for by midwives are less likely to report disrespectful care. Even though it has been proven that Midwives improve birthing experiences, many birthing people do not even know that they are options. The United states has a long history of preventing Midwives from practing and serving communities who need their care the most. Furthermore, Midwives are often not covered by insurance as a maternal healthcare and those that are, continue to be significantly underpaid which makes it harder to provide their services. This combined with the maternal care deserts across the U.S. leave many pregnant people underserved, and more at risk for deadlier outcomes.
How You Can Help
In honor of Maternal Mental Health Month, consider donating to Ancient Song who provides community doula care in NY. Or Kindred Space, the first black women owed birthing center in LA.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Support These Mom Approved Bills
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959, S.346)
A package of 12 bills advancing critically important policies that cover various dimensions of maternal health among Black birthing people. The legislation calls for robust investments to ensure quality health care and a myriad of social supports that pregnant and postpartum birthing people desperately need.
Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-being Act (H.R.7666)
A comprehensive behavioral health bill that includes funding for more state grants for maternal mental health, Psychiatric Access Lines, which will increase capacity for mothers calling the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS), and improving federal coordination for maternal mental health programs.
Midwives for MOMS Act (H.R. 3352, S. 1697)
This bill establishes grants within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for establishing or expanding midwifery programs at institutions of higher education and nursing schools. HRSA may prioritize funding for institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and that promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.
How To Support These Bills
Placing calls, writing letters or emails, and finding other creative ways to let your representatives know why these issues matter to you. Find your U.S. House representative here (https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative) and your Senator here (https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm).
Stay informed on the status of these bills, and urge your friends and family to do the same!