A look into midwifery and Black maternal and child healthcare in the United States
History of Black Midwifery in the United States
Black midwifery can be traced back to West Africa where midwifery is a part of the culture. The tradition holds that the birth giver would be surrounded by their female relatives who would act as the midwife. Midwifery in West Africa has spiritual undertones relating to nature and the earth. Midwives are prominent members of the community. They do more than just deliver babies, they are spiritual healers in the way that they act as family counselors, nutritionists, postpartum doulas, the go-to people for resources.
In the 17th century, during the Atlantic Slave Trade, this tradition was brought to the…
