September 2025 Newsletter: Sustainability In Midwifery Care

Sustainable Practices for Midwives

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Highlights this Month: Sustainable Practices for Midwives in Homebirth Care BABIES Act Update New MEAC school for California students! Birth By Birth Pledge National Workforce and Compensation Survey Student Social Hour Chapters and Partners Collecting Birth Photos & Collecting Midwifery Stories Silent Auction Sustainable Practices for Midwives in Homebirth Care By Catrice Harris, NACPM Treasurer The homebirth model is naturally more sustainable than hospital-based care: it reduces reliance on large facilities, minimizes unnecessary interventions, and centers birth in the family’s chosen environment. Still, midwives can go further by intentionally adopting eco-conscious practices that protect both the planet and the families they serve. Why Sustainability Matters in Maternal Health The U.S. maternal healthcare system has a significant environmental footprint. Hospitals and birth centers produce large amounts of single-use waste and consume vast energy resources, especially in operating rooms for cesarean births. Pharmaceuticals can enter waterways, and transportation for patients, staff, and supplies adds to greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, pregnant people and newborns are uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards. Air pollution is linked to preterm birth and low birth weight, while extreme heat increases the risk of preterm labor and complications. Contaminated water and exposure to everyday chemicals like BPA or pesticides affect both fertility and fetal health. These impacts are not distributed equally—communities of color and low-income families often face higher environmental risks alongside poorer access to care. For midwives, embracing sustainability is not only about reducing waste but also about advancing health equity and resilience. (continue below) 8 Practical Steps for Sustainable Midwifery 1. Prioritize Reusables Where safe and feasible, choose reusable, sterilizable instruments, under-pads, and linens. For disposables like gloves or syringes, purchase from suppliers with eco-conscious packaging. 2. Green Birth Kits Encourage clients to order birth kits from vendors that minimize plastic, use biodegradable packaging, or include organic cotton products. Customized kits can prevent waste from unused items. 3. Eco-Friendly Operations Switch to digital charting, consent forms, and billing to reduce paper use. When printing is necessary, use recycled paper and eco-friendly ink. If possible, choose renewable energy for your home office. 4. Smarter Transportation Because midwives often travel widely, consider fuel-efficient vehicles, grouping visits geographically, or using telehealth for select prenatal and postpartum check-ins. 5. Local and Ethical Sourcing Support nearby herbalists, makers, and small businesses for postpartum and newborn supplies. This reduces shipping emissions and strengthens community connections. 6. Responsible Waste Management Create systems for recycling and ensure medical waste is disposed of by environmentally responsible services. 7. Educate Clients Model sustainability by teaching families about eco-friendly birth preparation, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and reusing or donating baby gear. 8. Personal Sustainability Sustainability also means caring for ourselves. Protect your well-being with balanced scheduling, clear boundaries, and fair compensation to ensure longevity in practice. Midwives are uniquely positioned to model sustainable healthcare. By weaving environmentally conscious choices into homebirth practices, we not only reduce our ecological footprint but also protect maternal and infant health from environmental harms. In doing so, midwives demonstrate that sustainability is more than a trend—it is a commitment to healthier births, healthier families, and a healthier planet. Babies Act Update U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) reintroduced the BABIES Act (H.R. 5202) in the 19th Congress, joined by co-lead Representative Ashley Hinson (IA-02). This bipartisan legislation would expand access to birth centers and strengthen maternity care nationwide through Medicaid.  The BABIES Act establishes a federally funded Birth and Women’s Health Center demonstration program to improve access to quality, affordable maternity care. Specifically, the bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Medicaid demonstration project for freestanding birth centers serving women with low-risk pregnancies. The program would: Pilot a prospective payment model for birth center facility and professional services for Medicaid beneficiaries. Prioritize birth centers in areas facing maternity care deserts and poor health outcomes. Provide new HRSA-administered grants to support start-up costs for birth centers, including renovation or construction, equipment purchase, and accreditation or licensure. (From AABC Newsletter 9/19/25) Big News: Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery is Coming to California! After 26 years of transformative work, we are proud to announce that Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery has been officially approved by the Medical Board of California as of July! This exciting expansion has been a long-time dream of our founder Jennie Joseph and program director Zul Ruiz Gines, both of whom have deep roots and strong relationships with communities across California. Bringing our unique, equity-centered midwifery program to this beloved state is truly a dream come true. Our hybrid program combines online learning with in-person clinical skills training held in Los Angeles, and we are now welcoming students from all over California. If you’re a future midwife, now is the perfect time to join a program that prioritizes community, compassion, and birth justice. And if you're a licensed midwife or healthcare provider interested in serving as a preceptor, we would love to hear from you! Help us train the next generation of birth workers dedicated to equitable and respectful maternity care. *Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery is a school sponsor, contributing $500 to NACPM in exchange for providing all of their students with free NACPM student membership. If you’re interested in this option for your school click here and for birth center that want to support NACPM you can become a birth center sponsor and secure free Friends of NACPM membership for all your clients here. The NACPM Newsletter is a trusted source of information, updates, and opportunities for Certified Professional Midwives, students, educators, and allies across the country. With a highly engaged readership, our newsletter provides sponsors with a unique opportunity to connect directly with midwives, maternal health professionals, and advocates who are deeply committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Why Sponsor Our Newsletter? Direct Reach: Engage with a nationwide audience of midwives, students, and supporters. High Engagement: Our readership values the resources, events, and updates we share, making this an ideal channel to highlight your organization. Mission Alignment: Showcase your commitment to supporting midwifery, maternal health, and birth equity by aligning with NACPM’s values and vision. By sponsoring the NACPM Newsletter, you are not only increasing visibility for your organization but also directly contributing to the advancement of midwifery and the health of families across the United States. Visit our sponsor page for more information.  We invite you to take the Birth by Birth Pledge—a commitment to support NACPM’s legislative and advocacy work with a donation of just $10 for every birth you attend this year. Whether you’ve attended five births or fifty, your work has ripple effects beyond the birth room. Every pledge fuels campaigns that expand access, protect your right to practice, and ensure midwives have a voice in shaping the future of care. Take the Pledge. Support the Movement. Birth by Birth. Take the Birth by Birth Pledge Now We are excited to announce the launch of an annual National Workforce and Compensation Survey designed specifically for midwives who have passed the NARM exam. Whether you attend one birth a year or serve a full client load, your experience matters deeply—and we need your voice to build a clear, accurate picture of our profession. Why This Survey Matters The goal of this study is to collect comprehensive data on the work structures, compensation models, and lived experiences of LMs and CPMs across the United States. With your input, we’ll be able to: Advocate for fair pay and sustainable workloads Improve public policy and reimbursement models Identify disparities and opportunities in midwifery employment Plan for the future of a strong, community-rooted CPM workforce This survey is detailed by design. Every data point brings us closer to understanding what it really takes to do this work—and what it will take to make it sustainable. Learn More and Complete the Survey October's Auction Item is brought to you by NACPM Board Member Brooke Prudhomme. Little Seed Farm’s Body Care Pouch Supporting the NACPM is, for me, an act of aligning with justice, personal journey, and the sanctity of individual choices around birth on this planet. Certified Professional Midwives are keepers of empirical knowledge that must never be lost, wisdom and skill that must evolve to meet the present and the future, yet always remain rooted in our humanity. We, as midwives,  stand now and have always stood at the thresholds of systemic changes, ensuring that families, particularly those marginalized by race, class, or geography, have access to care that is both safe and liberating.               To sustain and grow the NACPM is to nourish a constant flame that illuminates the voices of women, birthing people, and entire communities. Midwifery is essential infrastructure for collective thriving, where each epic birthing story is grounded in dignity, autonomy, and personal power that fuels the collective. I am so excited to partner with one of my favorite body care makers, Little Seed Farms, for the October auction. Their commitment to sustainability, wellness, and community care aligns so beautifully with our mission at NACPM. Their products embody the values of integrity, care, and stewardship of the earth. Joining forces with a family business from my own home state of Tennessee,  (their Activated Charcoal Deodorant Cream is always with me) not only supports midwives nationwide, but also celebrates the power of community to joyfully create meaningful growth. Place your Bid Now NACPM  invites you to our Midwifery Student Social Hour—a space for student midwives to connect, share experiences, and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities within midwifery education and practice. Date: November 19th, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM PST | 5:00 PM CST | 6:00 PM EST Learn more & register: NACPM.ORG/MIDWIFERYSTUDENTSOCIAL This is your opportunity to engage with NACPM leaders, voice your concerns in a supportive space, and build a strong network of peers. We look forward to seeing you there! Georgia Georgia’s  NACPM chapter is actively increasing awareness and integration of CPMs in Georgia through strategic stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts. The chapter sponsored a key stakeholder convening at Morehouse College focused on doula services and Medicaid reimbursement eligibility, directly supporting policy integration efforts. President Missi Burgess represented the chapter at statewide meetings with organizations like Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and Georgia Health Initiative to build coalitions and elevate CPM visibility within Georgia’s maternal health systems community. To support our continued pushing for midwifery licensure in Georgia, please visit our store to purchase birth and midwifery-themed goodies, including t-shirts and mugs, which make great gifts! https://www.bonfire.com/store/license-georgia-midwives/ North Carolina North Carolina midwives gathered in style for their 3rd Annual Masquerade, and this year’s celebration was a success with over $4,000 raised! Guests came dressed to impress, and the energy in the room reflected the strength and spirit of our midwifery community. The festivities continue online with an auction featuring unique and meaningful items, all generously donated by supporters, partners, and sponsors. Every bid placed helps fund Certified Professional Midwife advocacy efforts in North Carolina, strengthening the future of midwives and the families they serve. We are delighted to announce that the Arkansas Chapter has become NACPM’s newest State Chapter. This dedicated network of midwives joins us in advancing NACPM’s vision of a primary birth care system in which every birthing person has access to a midwife, where birth place is a family’s choice, and where all childbearing people and their babies have the same chance to be healthy. State chapters play a vital role in bringing NACPM’s mission to life at the local level. They create opportunities for midwives to connect, share resources, and build collective strength in advocating for the profession. By working together within their states, chapters are able to address unique community needs while contributing to the larger national movement for equity and access in perinatal care. With their leadership and commitment to community-centered care, the Arkansas Chapter becomes an invaluable part of this work. Their presence strengthens our unified voice to shape policy, protect our profession, and support healthy beginnings for all families. We are honored to welcome the Arkansas State Chapter and invite those interested in joining to do so here. We’re thrilled to announce that the Oregon Midwifery Council (OMC) has joined NACPM as our newest State Partner! Since 1978, OMC has advanced maternal and infant health in Oregon by increasing access to midwifery care, providing public education about birth options, and supporting the ongoing professional development of midwives. OMC is grounded in the belief that birthing people deserve to be respected and informed participants in their care, that every baby should be welcomed with gentleness and reverence, and that midwifery represents the standard of care for healthy people during the childbearing year. Their work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening midwifery care and ensuring that families and communities receive safe, supportive, and high-quality care. The Oregon Midwifery Council’s leadership and dedication to community-centered care make them an invaluable addition to our national movement. Together, we are building a stronger, more unified voice for Certified Professional Midwives, shaping policy, protecting our profession, and advancing equity in birth. Welcome, Oregon Midwifery Council! We’re honored to be in this work with you. We’re putting together new materials to share the powerful impact of Certified Professional Midwives and community birth—and we’d love to feature images from our members that reflect the depth, diversity, and beauty of this work. We’re especially seeking high-quality photos of midwives in action—during prenatal visits, births, and postpartum care. We welcome images that show community-based settings (home, birth center), culturally congruent care, and the rich racial, cultural, and gender diversity within midwifery and the families we serve. If you’re a midwife or photographer with images to share: Please ensure you have permission from anyone pictured. If the photo was taken by a professional, we ask that you confirm their permission as well. We offer compensation as a token of our gratitude for any images used in printed materials or you can choose to donate usage in support of NACPM’s mission. Credit will be given for all images used in digital materials whenever possible. Thank you for helping us tell the story of midwifery with authenticity and care. Your images make our collective work visible. Questions? Contact Communications at admin@nacpm.org. Submit your photos here Inspire Change, Educate Communities, and Build the Future of Care Midwifery changes lives. Whether you are a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), student midwife, client, or advocate, your story can help raise awareness, inspire change, and strengthen our collective movement for equitable access to midwifery care. Midwifery is more than a model of care—it’s love, trust, resilience, and transformation. Every birth, every challenge, every moment of connection tells a story that can change hearts and minds. When you share your story, you help others see the beauty and impact of midwifery—and why it must be accessible to all. Your voice can inspire, educate, and ignite change. We’re listening. By sharing your experience, you help: ✔ Educate the public and policymakers about the impact of midwifery. ✔ Advocate for legislation that expands access to CPM care. ✔ Support the next generation of midwives and birth advocates. We want to hear from you! Tell us how midwifery has impacted your life, the challenges you’ve faced, or why you believe in the power of CPM care. Your story can be featured on NACPM’s website, newsletters, social media, and advocacy campaigns to help grow awareness and drive meaningful change. Share Your Story Now VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE If you or people in your network/community are hosting relevant events, or events that offer CEUs to midwives, please share this form with them so that we can feature their event on our calendar. SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE Thank you for helping us showcase the incredible work happening in the midwifery community! EXPLORE NACPM’S RESEARCH AND CURRENT EVENTS PAGE If you come across relevant research or news you'd like to share, we’d appreciate hearing from you. Please send suggestions to communications@nacpm.org. NACPM is proud to be supported by hundreds of individual donors and these visionary foundations. © 2025 NACPM 8120 RESEARCH BLVD STE 105 PMB 140 If you do not wish to receive further communication like this, unsubscribe here.

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