Diapers, Onesies and Wipes for Black Families

Hi! We are a team of midwives and researchers trying to implement a new model of maternity care that centers the voices and needs of the Black Birthing Community.

In Chicago, pregnancy-related mortality rate is 6x higher for non-Hispanic Black women compared to non-Hispanic white women – this disparity is a direct consequence of structural racism and historical neglect of Black communities.

Melanated Group Midwifery Care (MGMC) addresses the impacts of structural racism by centering the expertise and needs of Black women and birthing people to better understand how we can foster healthier birth outcomes for all families.

In Melanated Group Midwifery Care, Black moms receive concordant care from a Black midwife throughout their pregnancy, prenatal care in a group with other Black mamas, a Black nurse to help them navigate the health care system, and a community-based Black postpartum doula to provide in-home support for 12 full months after birth.

We are a year into this project and have found that many if not most of our moms struggle with basic necessities: housing, food, transportation and safety. Our project is working to address those needs and also find ways to celebrate Black motherhood. Birth is such a huge moment for a family. We want to send every melanated mama enrolled in this study home with a new baby care package. Each donation will buy diapers, onesies and wipes to help our families get off to a good start. Our community-based doulas will bring these packages to the homes of our participants, helping to establish that trusting and nurturing connection.

Black families deserve care that makes them feel safe and understood. MGMC aims to provide exactly that.

Click hereto learn more about our work.