Content Warning: This post discusses systemic racism, maternal health inequities, and the direct impacts of implicit bias within healthcare systems. It also touches on themes of historical and ongoing discrimination that disproportionately affect Black birthing and postpartum parents. Please proceed with care.
The journey to parenthood is deeply personal and life-changing—but for Black birthing parents, it is too often impacted by systemic barriers, health inequities, and biases that increase risks. At Brood, we recognize that supporting Black families requires intentional care, advocacy, and the centering of Black voices. This post brings together resources, insights, and tools to empower and support Black birthing parents and their families.
Understanding the Context: Why Supporting Black Families Matters
Black birthing parents face disproportionately higher rates of parental mortality and morbidity, largely due to systemic racism and implicit biases within the healthcare system. In Canada, data on Black maternal health remains alarmingly sparse. Still, reports show that racial inequities for birthing people and their outcomes mirror those seen in the U.S., where Black parents are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white parents. At Brood, we stand firmly in our commitment to social justice and intersectionality in birth work. This means creating spaces where Black birthing families feel seen, respected, and supported. You can read more about our commitment to these principles here.
Key Resources to Support Black Birthing Parents
Advocacy and Community Support
- Speak Move Change: Advocates for reproductive justice and birth equity through education and activism.
- The Birth Fund: Provides financial assistance to Black families for doula care and other support services.
- The Tender Foundation: Focuses on stabilizing families by providing resources and financial support to Black parents.
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance: A national network focused on improving Black maternal health through advocacy and policy change.
- Maternity Care Coalition: Works to improve maternal and child health through community-based programs.
Research and Tools
- CARE Tool by Stanford Medicine: A tool to address racial bias in obstetric care and improve health outcomes.
- Birth Center Equity: Supports birth centers in underserved communities to provide equitable care.
- Irth App: A review platform for Black and brown birthing people to share experiences with hospitals and providers.
- Canadian Maternal Health Research: Explores gaps in Canada’s maternal health data specific to Black communities.
Education and Reading
- Nurture by Erica Chidi — A holistic guide to pregnancy and postpartum care.
- Pregnant While Black: Advancing Justice for Maternal Health in America by Monique Rainford — Highlights the need for intersectional approaches to reproductive health.
- Battling Over Birth by Julia Chinyere Oparah, Helen Arega, Dantia Hudson, Linda Jones, and Talita Oseguera — Examines the experiences of Black birthing people within the U.S. healthcare system.
- Anti-Racist Reading Lists — Curated resources to better understand and combat racial inequities in reproductive care.
- Protecting Your Birth: A Guide for Black Mothers — A New York Times feature on the crisis in Black maternal health.
- I made a documentary about the Black maternal health crisis. Then I experienced it. by Amanda Parris and For The Culture — A personal exploration of the Black maternal health crisis in Canada.
- Finding Well-Being and Black Joy When the World Is on Fire by Erica Chidi — An article celebrating joy and resilience within Black communities.
Doula and Midwifery Organizations
- Nesting Doula Collective: A local (Vancouver and Victoria, BC) collective of doulas focused on providing culturally competent care to BIPGM families.
- The Black Birth Project: Dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black birthing parents and creating systemic change.
- MinoCare: Provides care to underserved communities focusing on cultural safety and inclusion.
As doulas, we understand the profound impact that systemic inequities have on Black birthing parents. Our approach is rooted in:
Listening → Centering the voices and experiences of Black families.
Advocacy → Supporting clients in navigating healthcare systems and advocating for equitable care.
Community Building → Connecting families with resources, collectives, and financial support to reduce barriers to care.
Education → Offering workshops and training for doulas to address implicit bias and provide culturally competent care.
We strive to create a more equitable and supportive birth experience for all families through intentional action and collaboration.
The journey to parenthood should be one of joy, empowerment, and support. For Black birthing parents, this requires dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a culture of care that centers their voices and needs. By leveraging the resources, organizations, and tools outlined here, we can work collectively to ensure that every Black family feels supported, valued, and safe.
Let’s continue to advocate, educate, and support—because every family deserves equitable and compassionate care.
