UR Medicine and Rochester Regional collaborate on event to improve the Black birthing experience

The University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health are collaborating to address inequities in the birthing experience for marginalized groups. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two health systems co-hosted a Black Maternal Health training event on Thursday for local birthing experts including doulas, midwives, obstetricians and gynecologists in hopes of addressing the underlying issues. “We have an awful situation in the United States where the disparity is outrageous,” said British midwife Jennie Joseph, the event’s guest speaker. Joseph was one of 12 women dubbed TIME magazine Woman of the Year 2022 for her work in women health advocacy. “We get to equitable care by making sure that every person, every time gets the same resources, gets the same respect, gets listened to and has options,” she said. “Right now, that is not what’s happening, and this is why we see these outcomes.” Racquel Stephen / WXXI About 100 birthing experts including doulas and midwives attended Black maternal health training co-hosted by UR Medicine and Rochester Regional Health The training sessions included lectures on health inequities, how to eliminate...