MANY INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCE DISCRIMINATION AND SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION
IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, SOCIAL DIFFERENCES AND HEALTH DISPARITIES AFFECT THE BIRTHING PERSON, INFANT AND THEIR FAMILY DIFFERENTLY.
Examples include ethnicity, race, citizenship status, economic status, educational background, age, language, sexual orientation, and religion. These barriers and inequities result in poor pregnancy, birth and adverse health outcomes for both the birthing person and infants, which is why birth equity is important. As healthcare providers we are in a unique position and have a certain power hierarchy over the individuals who seek our care and support, especially those who are vulnerable. BREATHE Midwifery understands and recognizes that as facilitators in healthcare, we can be part of the process that helps to change and eventually help eradicate racism, social inequities, discrimination, and oppression that many of the black, racialized and marginalized individuals who make up our community and seek our care experience.