In this time of global pandemic and financial crisis, the need for access to midwifery care, birth preparation, and new parent support is greater than ever. Since the start of COVID-19, Roots Midwifery has and continues to receive an influx of inquiries. COVID-19 has also exacerbated existing fears of Black women and people of color (BIPOC) that they will not be listened to and may die while giving birth in a hospital. There are also fears of contracting Coronavirus and being separated from their babies. Some have turned to free-birthing or birthing alone, without a qualified healthcare provider because they cannot access or cannot afford a home birth midwife. Some enter into hospital care settings unprepared about their rights surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. And some new parents are left without additional support to care for themselves or their newborn. This is unacceptable!

Our new families deserve better. Clients truly value the services we provide for the community. We feel that every birthing person should have access to this type of care and that money should not be a barrier between them a homebirth, classes or the caring support they need.

The Roots Gives Fund will help increase access to out-of-hospital birth options, by supplementing the cost of midwifery care, birth prep education, or postpartum wellness for those who are facing financial difficulties. Funds may also be used to compensate doulas assisting clients who will birth at local hospitals.

We ask that you make these services a possibility for a family that otherwise couldn’t afford it by making a one-time gift or becoming a monthly donor to sustain Root’s impact on advocacy and birth equity in Boston and surrounding areas.