---
title: Black Pregnant Women Are Turning to Midwives for Personalized Care
date: 2026-01-20T10:01:00-05:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/black-pregnant-women-are-turning-to-midwives-for-personalized-care"
section: Resources
---
[Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate)

[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Black Pregnant Women Are Turning to Midwives for Personalized Care

Photojournalist Karen Kasmauski documents the the work of Black midwives and doulas, who are making progress against staggering racial disparities in birthing outcomes. In Virginia, for instance, Black women are over twice as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. But families and state governments alike are increasingly turning to midwifery for respectful care, and for a solution to the current crisis in Black maternal health.

Kasamauski's photographs illuminate how midwives support women of color through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, whether they choose to give birth at home, at the birth center, or at a hospital. They include embedded audio and images of Black women attending classes, giving birth, and receiving care.

> I get a lot of clients, especially Black women, who have had trauma during their last pregnancies. They didn't like how they were treated at the hospital. They did not appreciate not feeling heard or supported. That seems to be a recurring theme.

[Read the full article ](https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/i-just-dont-want-die-black-pregnant-women-are-turning-midwives-personalized-care-and-better)

SOURCE: Pulitzer Center • AUTHOR: Karen Kasmauski and Louis Hansen • LAST UPDATED: August 8, 2023

![A Black woman giving birth at home in a pool with a midwife](data:image/png;base64,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)Doula Mayasa Telfair — who is also a certified midwife and former lawyer — manages Tonithia Reid’s labor as Reid sits inside a birthing pool in her Alexandria, Virginia, living room. Image by Karen Kasmauski, used with permission. Image by Karen Kasmauski

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [ diverse experiences of pregnancy & labor](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/diverse-experiences-of-pregnancy-labor)
- [ birth care providers](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/birth-care-providers)
- [midwife](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/midwife)
- [doula](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/doulas)
- [childbirth choices](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/childbirth-choices)
- [birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/birth)
- [artistic expression](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/artistic-expression)
- [stories & conversations](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/stories-conversations)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

- We rigorously evaluate all content
- We embrace a reproductive justice framework
- We don’t accept ads or sell products
- We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry
- We counter misinformation and disinformation
- We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality

[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

Share

[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)

##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Lessons from Black Midwives

Six Black midwives share their insights and experiences in the face of today's worsening maternal and infant mortality rates.

![AdobeStock_404215824](data:image/png;base64,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)

Six Black midwives share their insights and experiences in the face of today's worsening maternal and infant mortality rates.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/lessons-from-black-midwives)

[ResourcesRead

## Jennie Joseph on the Importance of Black Midwives

Jennie Joseph, a Black certified professional midwife, an educator, and a Time 2022 Woman of the Year, discusses her calling to midwifery.

![A Black mother holding a baby](data:image/png;base64,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)

Jennie Joseph, a Black certified professional midwife, an educator, and a Time 2022 Woman of the Year, discusses her calling to midwifery.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/jennie-joseph-on-the-importance-of-black-midwives)

[ResourcesRead

## The Historical Significance of Black Doulas and Midwives

This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives.

![Siloam greene county ga vicinity midwife going on a call carrying her kit d977bf 1024 e1687465869116 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-historical-significance-of-black-doulas-and-midwives)

[ResourcesRead

## Black Midwives Through Time

This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE.

![nurse-marguerite-white-gives-demonstration-in-postnatal-care-at-mothers-club-e87d9f-1024](data:image/png;base64,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)

This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/black-midwives-through-time)

[ResourcesListen

## Love and Labor: The History of African American Birth Care Providers

This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants.

![all-my-babiesa-midwifes-own-story-a9802b-1024](data:image/png;base64,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)

This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/love-and-labor-the-history-of-african-american-birth-care-providers)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Living with Congestive Heart Failure

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Difficult Menstrual Cycles

CB shares her story of experiencing difficult menstrual cycles as a teenager.

![Menstruation](data:image/png;base64,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)

CB shares her story of experiencing difficult menstrual cycles as a teenager.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-menstruation-cb)