BIRTH JUSTICE: Advocacy, Legislation and Policy - Doulas4CT

Earth’s Natural Touch: Birth Care & Beyond, inc. is a founding member of The Doulas4CT® Coalition. This coalition was formed in 2019 by organizations such as March of Dimes, Health Equity Solutions, Bridgeport Prospers United Way, as well as doulas, legislators and policymakers, community members, and other stakeholders to address newly introduced legislation around Doulas. Our mission is centered on the experiences and voices of Black women and women of color to ensure access to training and utilization of culturally responsive Doula care. We are dedicated to garnering system support through policy development, utilizing collective power, and building community learning. The coalition is one of the vehicles that we use to provide tools to achieve equitable access to Doula care in Connecticut. Our ENT Birth Justice: Advocacy, Legislation and Policy Transformation Team works with the coalition as a major part of the coalition’s Advocacy Team to address legislative agendas, policies that impact doulas and families, and advocacy in Connecticut.

Our ENT Birth Justice: Advocacy, Legislation and Policy Transformation Team works to champion a transformative agenda that addresses systemic disparities in maternal and reproductive healthcare. Committed to fostering a society where every individual experiences childbirth with dignity, respect, and equal access to quality care, our team tirelessly advocates for legislative and policy reform. We seek to challenge and dismantle discriminatory practices, ensuring that marginalized communities are considered when policies are in place that govern maternal health. This team works to safeguard the birth rights of marginalized people to be able to make decisions around their pregnancies, and to have children in safe, supportive environments by working to destroy inequitable policies, creating systemic change, and assisting with legislative efforts. Through research, education, and collaboration, we aspire to create a landscape where equity and inclusion are embedded in the fabric of healthcare systems, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for all birthing individuals. Our mission is grounded in knowing that by advocating for legislative and policy changes, we can contribute to a future where every pregnancy and childbirth is met with justice, compassion, and the celebration of diversity.

This Perinatal Bill of Rights for Black Families serves as a foundational guide that can be used to create an inclusive and respectful environment during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. 

Healthcare providers are encouraged to adopt anti-racist practices, provide patient-centered care, and ensure transparency, competence, and cultural respect. Legislators can utilize these rights to shape legislation addressing healthcare disparities, ensuring equity and promoting anti-racist practices. Community members can build supportive environments prioritizing accessible healthcare and holistic well-being, thereby reducing disparities. Organizations, including healthcare institutions, can adopt these principles to guide practices that foster cultural sensitivity and diversity, and address systemic issues to achieve health equity. 

Lastly, Black Families can refer to this Perinatal Bill of Rights written specifically with them in mind to feel more confident in asserting their autonomy, demanding equitable care, navigating healthcare systems, and safeguarding themselves against unjust practices. Your experiences are real. Your concerns are valid. Your family at Earth’s Natural Touch: Birth Care & Beyond is with you. We see you. We hear you. And we will continue to support, and fight for you.