Midwives Access Fund
Providing Financial Relief for Expecting Mothers
Giving the Power of Choice
Many individuals face insurmountable financial barriers when seeking midwifery care. Understanding the critical importance of choice in childbirth and the disproportionate impact of these barriers on economically disadvantaged populations, the Safer Birth Foundation has dedicated itself to providing tangible support through its Midwives Access Fund. This fund serves as a lifeline for expectant mothers, offering financial assistance that can make the difference between accessing quality midwifery care or foregoing it altogether. By reducing the financial burden, the Safer Birth Foundation empowers women to make informed decisions about their birthing experiences, promoting autonomy and equity in maternal healthcare access
In Ohio, the infant mortality rate rose to 7.0 per 1,000 live births in 2021 (14.2 for Black infants), while the maternal mortality rate is 32.9 per 100,000 live births. These rates are disproportionately higher among people of color, with Black and African American mothers experiencing 5 times higher risk compared to their white counterparts. As more than 50% of recipients are people of color, the Safer Birth Foundation’s Midwives Access Fund is crucial in addressing these disparities in healthcare access.
Financial aid to those on Medicaid
By supporting expectant mothers who rely on Medicaid, the Safer Birth Foundation contributes to efforts aimed at addressing disparities in maternal healthcare access. This assistance represents a critical step towards promoting equity in childbirth experiences, ensuring that all women, regardless of their financial circumstances, have the opportunity to access safe, respectful, and empowering maternity care.
In 2023, the Safer Birth Foundation’s Midwives Access Fund offered direct aid to 15 expectant mothers, all dependent on Medicaid for healthcare coverage. Because Medicaid doesn’t cover the costs of midwifery care, the Safer Birth Foundation's financial assistance, ranging from $1000 to $4500 per recipient, proved pivotal in bridging financial gaps. The Safer Birth Foundation’s assistance has enabled pregnant individuals to overcome their financial barriers, ensuring they could receive comprehensive prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care from midwives, often associated with better outcomes and personalized support.
Make a difference to those around you.
The Safer Birth Foundation is actively engaging in strategic fundraising efforts, with notable progress made this year, having raised almost $5000 in donations. These contributions are crucial in advancing our mission of providing equitable access to midwifery care for all individuals, regardless of their financial circumstances. Through initiatives such as grant writing, donor engagement, and fundraising events, we are diligently working to secure the financial resources needed to sustain our operations and continue supporting expectant mothers. Additionally, we are developing innovative programs aimed at generating revenue for the Safer Birth Foundation, which will further bolster our capacity to fund the financial aid program and expand our impact in maternal healthcare access. This continued support ensures that the Safer Birth Foundation can maintain accessibility to midwifery care for all women.
Presently, the Safer Birth Foundation faces a challenging financial situation exacerbated by several factors. With the supplemental in-kind donations provided by Cincinnati Birth Center, the Safer Birth Foundation has been unable to raise enough funds to meet demand. Additionally, due to a surge in inflation, CBC recently increased service fees from $5050 to $7950 further impacting our ability to cover costs.
Compounding these challenges is the unfortunate reality that some potential clients are declining grants because they still need help to afford the remaining cost of care. Despite the assistance provided by the Safer Birth Foundation's Midwives Access Fund, individuals are struggling to cover the expenses associated with midwifery care.
Predicted Impact
The Safer Birth Foundation anticipates positive outcomes for expectant mothers supported by the Midwives Access Fund. With a focus on providing comprehensive midwifery care, we expect high rates of normal spontaneous vaginal births, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced rates of postpartum depression among recipients.
We aim to foster a supportive environment for breastfeeding, promoting maternal and infant health. Through participation in the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry, SBF seeks to contribute valuable data to ongoing research efforts in maternal healthcare.