We believe that every woman and birthing person deserves access to safe, compassionate, and culturally responsive care regardless of their background. The Rebirth Birth Initiative (RBI) is a health equity initiative dedicated to supporting hospitals and communities in improving birth outcomes by ensuring representation and empowering us all together to create a more equitable and just birth experience for all. Through doula support, education, and advocacy, we strive to reduce disparities in maternal and infant health.
The United States, despite being a developed nation, faces alarmingly high maternal mortality rates. Disparities in maternal healthcare are often rooted in systemic racism, limited access to quality care, inadequate representation within hospitals, and implicit bias throughout the healthcare system.
Historically, Black Women have borne the brunt of these disparities, experiencing poorer birth outcomes in hospitals for over a century. Nevertheless, they deserve dignity, respect, and compassionate care. Every woman has the right to be believed during her care, have positive birth experiences, and express herself authentically in clinical settings.
By ensuring community collaboration, cultural representation, culturally affirming doula support, and support navigating the healthcare system, coupled with patient advocacy, RBI offers a promising approach to address these disparities ensuring the ability to optimize each role during the pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum process
From the moment a family learns of a pregnancy, we believe your hospital or clinic should be equipped to provide full-circle comprehensive care. We partner with hospitals in implementing the Rebirth Birth Initiative which affirms patients remain connected with their community while they receive care from their Providers. This ensures patients can integrate their cultural beliefs and practices into their care, rather than having to separate them. We achieve this by offering culturally appropriate community resources, access to culturally affirming doula support, and the guidance of patient and community ambassadors/navigators who advocate for patient needs and collaborate with care teams.
The Rebirth Birth Initiative believes in collaboration through an egalitarian approach to revolutionize maternal care by fostering joy, and inclusivity, and developing culturally appropriate preventative care within our hospitals. By working alongside the community and thinking long-term, we can ensure the best possible care for mothers and babies, paving the way for a brighter future. When we prioritize innovation and unity, we can transcend short-sighted thinking and create a legacy of excellence in maternal care.
We are committed to a future where all hospitals, regardless of location or patient demographics, prioritize providing culturally competent, patient-centered care that meets the unique needs of all women and birthing people.
This vision extends beyond the current landscape to a future where:
Equity is the norm: Health equity is a fundamental principle in healthcare, ensuring that all individuals receive the care they deserve, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Patient-centered care is the standard: Hospitals prioritize the patient's needs and preferences, providing care that is tailored to their individual circumstances.
Culturally competent care is accessible: All healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver culturally sensitive and effective care to patients from diverse backgrounds.
We envision a healthcare system where women and birthing people, especially Black women, receive care that prioritizes prevention, empowerment, and equitable outcomes. We are determined to move away from crisis-oriented, fear-based practices and establish a new standard of care that is inclusive, culturally competent, and centered around the needs of all patients.