It all started when…
Cincinnati Birth Center, Womankind Midwifery, and other local and national midwifery providers voiced a need for trained and qualified birth assistants. Community midwifery has grown by 20% nationwide since 2019, resulting in an increased need for trained and qualified birth assistants. Safer Birth Foundation saw a need for employment opportunities and workforce development for women in Cincinnati. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, at least two birth attendants who are trained and certified in neonatal resuscitation should be present at every delivery. When two fully trained birth attendants are present at each delivery, birth outcomes improve.
Our program is based on the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) and the Commission on the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) national model and best practices. Before we adopted the national model, we designed and piloted an in-house birth assistant training program. We led two cohorts through this training totaling 7 participants in 2020 and 2021. The program was well received. Participants vocalized interest in more educational opportunities in the future. Our organization utilizes the AABC birth assistant training because it’s the only training recognized by the CABC, thereby improving insurance reimbursement opportunities for midwives and birth centers. In 2022, our staff took the AABC birth assistant skills instructor training. Our program includes OSHA, HIPAA, workforce violence and prevention training and a stipend per birth during training. The AABC birth assistant training is self-paced. Training can be completed anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. It’s a hybrid program with an online portion and an in-person skills evaluation.
According to the United States Census Bureau, over 24% of Cincinnati residents live in poverty. The median female income is only $25,119. A birth assistant’s average time at a birth is 6-8 hours, with an hourly rate between $25-33. Experienced birth assistants can make up to $400-600 per birth, or up to about $75 hourly, similar to what a Registered Nurse would make. Birth assistant hours are flexible, aiding women in arranging childcare to fit their needs. In 2022 a group of researchers conducted a study of people of color aspiring to be midwives. Researchers found that financial barriers significantly undermined an aspiring midwife’s ability to pursue midwifery. A prominent midwife mentor in Portland OR’s Black community, Shafia Monroe, implemented a birth assistant training as a springboard for women who want to pursue midwifery. Her initiative was a success; most of the attendees have continued their education to become midwives and have used the birth assistant training as a stepping stone into women’s healthcare work.
Our program also reduces non-obvious professional financial and legal barriers to entry and offers protections to birth assistants by providing liability insurance coverage for birth assistants and midwives. After that critical first step of becoming a birth assistant, our participants will be well-positioned to advance their careers by becoming a doula, midwife, nurse, doctor, genetics counselor, mental health provider, or lactation professional. SBF opens doors to better health outcomes for the community and financial stability for new professionals.
Our staff consists of 3 professionals and 1 open position for which we are actively recruiting. Meghan Nowland is Executive Director. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Midwifery, is a full-time experienced midwife and certified lactation consultant; India Stringer, is a part-time experienced birth assistant and BIPOC health professional who matriculated our Birth Assistant Agency beta program. India recently completed the requirements to become a Certified Professional Midwife. Our president, Tonya Dumas, is a local leader in economic empowerment. Each of our staff lives and works in Cincinnati. In addition, we’ve identified staff to teach CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation Certification. With the creation of the Birth Assistant Agency, we’re bringing India Stringer into role as a full-time Birth Assistant Instructor, where she will be responsible for recruiting, training, and leading birth assistants for the agency.
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