Allow At-Shelter Births for Women Residing in Temporary Family Shelters


Allow At-Shelter Births for Women Residing in Temporary Family Shelters
The Issue
As of 2022 The Black Maternal death rate is at its all-time highest. 41.7% account for the maternal mortalities of Non-Hispanic Black women. These mortalities often happen to African American women who experience insufficiencies in Income, education, familial support, and age. Women experience gender bias treatment within the healthcare system in forms of dismissive remarks or not being taken seriously. In the US the healthcare system generates about 98 billion for income, but it has not extended fruits to the extent of decreasing or preventing the above circumstances. Pregnant women face even greater risks when met with unstable housing. About 48% of women who are pregnant used a shelter during their pregnancy. Giving birth is one of the most vulnerable times in a womans life. Being comfortable enough to have a say in the control of that atmosphere is super important. In recent years, especially since Covid significantly reduced a womans comfortability while giving birth, in telling expectant moms they had to give birth without their partners present or any other person besides a medical team in the delivery room. Many women have opted for a more self-controlled environment i.e., Homebirth. During a homebirth the mother is provided emotional support. She has full say over what does and does not happen. Most importantly, those who share this moment with her are in full agreement of her to do so. I feel this option should be extended to women who reside in Family Shelters as well. While maternal mortalities have affected non-Hispanic blacks it's still an issue and major concern for many women. Some states have released Doula programs to assist and advocate for women during labor to lower the stats. However, doulas as important as they are, are unable to engage medically. This is where we need to enlist caring healthcare professionals to stand on the frontline alongside moms and doulas to prevent Maternal Mortalities. So crucial that we support the women who are experiencing the shelter system while expecting a baby.

83
The Issue
As of 2022 The Black Maternal death rate is at its all-time highest. 41.7% account for the maternal mortalities of Non-Hispanic Black women. These mortalities often happen to African American women who experience insufficiencies in Income, education, familial support, and age. Women experience gender bias treatment within the healthcare system in forms of dismissive remarks or not being taken seriously. In the US the healthcare system generates about 98 billion for income, but it has not extended fruits to the extent of decreasing or preventing the above circumstances. Pregnant women face even greater risks when met with unstable housing. About 48% of women who are pregnant used a shelter during their pregnancy. Giving birth is one of the most vulnerable times in a womans life. Being comfortable enough to have a say in the control of that atmosphere is super important. In recent years, especially since Covid significantly reduced a womans comfortability while giving birth, in telling expectant moms they had to give birth without their partners present or any other person besides a medical team in the delivery room. Many women have opted for a more self-controlled environment i.e., Homebirth. During a homebirth the mother is provided emotional support. She has full say over what does and does not happen. Most importantly, those who share this moment with her are in full agreement of her to do so. I feel this option should be extended to women who reside in Family Shelters as well. While maternal mortalities have affected non-Hispanic blacks it's still an issue and major concern for many women. Some states have released Doula programs to assist and advocate for women during labor to lower the stats. However, doulas as important as they are, are unable to engage medically. This is where we need to enlist caring healthcare professionals to stand on the frontline alongside moms and doulas to prevent Maternal Mortalities. So crucial that we support the women who are experiencing the shelter system while expecting a baby.

83
Petition created on April 24, 2022