March 2025 Newsletter: Midwives through the Ages- Rooted in legacy, Rising in impact

Midwives Through the Ages

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The Restoration of the Roots of Midwifery By Priestess Okunsola M. Amadou, The Midwifery Folklorist™ Founder, Folk Midwife™ & Birth Priestess™ Pathways There was a time when birth was sacred, when women, birthing bodies, and babies were held with reverence, love, sacred care and ancestral wisdom. Birth is a ceremony rooted in song, nature, spirit, and community. The childbirth journey historically has been guided by midwives anchored with calm nervous systems who brought balance, harmony and ancestral knowing into homes and birthing rooms, who walked with medicine and care as healers, storytellers, and spiritual protectors, carrying the knowledge of generations in their bones, hands, and hearts. Before medical industrial maternal health systems rooted in capitalism and forced regulation, birth was seen as a sacred, harmonious, and a joyful communal experience guided with integrity for new life, where mothers and babies thrived. Before birth became controlled, commodified and capitalized, it was honored through earth-based, Indigenous practices. Midwifery has always existed—long before it was institutionalized or licensed—passed from midwife to midwife, through oral tradition and sacred apprenticeship. The original midwives didn’t need to dissect or dominate to understand birth. They listened. They trusted. They supported the divine dialogue between mother and child, the spirit world and the physical realm. They didn’t rely on fear to gain compliance or money—they relied on integrity, calling, and the sacred responsibility of care. Midwifery was rooted in reciprocity, community, and spirit—not capitalism. “We are not in a Maternal Mortality Crisis. We are in a Maternal Health Systems Crisis. The crisis is with the system, not the bodies of women and birthing people.”- Okunsola M. Amadou Our bodies know how to conceive, sustain, birth, and heal. What is broken is the system that denies this knowing, replacing presence with protocol, and reverence with regulation. The wisdom of traditional midwives wasn’t lost; it was stolen, erased, and suppressed through colonization, industrialization, and systemic exclusion. In Uganda and across Africa, midwives performed cesareans before they were ever recorded in Europe. And yet, Western systems took this knowledge, claimed it, and used it to criminalize the very people who birthed it. We cannot call midwives the solution if we still reject those not trained in systems that once erased them. We cannot heal a maternal health crisis by only counting licensed practitioners, while ignoring the cultural, spiritual, and community-rooted midwives who have served for generations. To honor our lineage and reclaim what was taken, I teach a framework that supports a return to traditional, spiritual, and community-rooted midwifery. It’s grounded in ancestral wisdom, sacred apprenticeship, nervous system regulation, and cultural wholeness—elements that have long been excluded from dominant systems. This work isn’t about rejecting the clinical model, but rather completing the circle by restoring what our communities have always known. A liberated midwifery future must acknowledge the harm regulation has caused, make space for sacred knowledge, and reconnect with the roots that made midwifery possible in the first place. The time of remembering is here. We are calling birth back to the center. Back to culture. Back to spirit. Back to the sacred. To learn more about my work reclaiming traditional midwifery knowledge and supporting spiritual pathways for midwives across the globe, visit TheMidwiferyFolklorist.com. This work is deeply aligned with NACPM’s vision of a midwifery model that honors lineage, centers community, and builds a future rooted in justice and liberation. NACPM’s Annual Meeting Was a Celebration of Progress and Possibility Last week, NACPM hosted our 2025 Annual Meeting—and it was everything we hoped it would be: energizing, inspiring, and deeply affirming of the power of midwifery. We reflected on a transformative year, shared our vision for the future, and heard from the incomparable Kimberly Durdin, who delivered a powerful keynote on "Beloved Birth 50 by 50"—a bold strategy for abundant, equitable midwifery care. We celebrated the launch of the Green Bottle Membership Model, our growing state chapter network, ongoing advocacy, and continued support for aspiring midwives through the Bigger Table Fund and TKT Scholarship. We also looked ahead to 2025 with a focus on expanded advocacy, sustainable initiatives, and deeper connection across the midwifery community. Couldn’t make it? You can watch the full recording here and catch up on all the highlights. Thank you to everyone who showed up, asked questions, shared reflections, and helped make the meeting a success. We’re so excited for what’s ahead—and we’re grateful to build it together with you. Now Live: NACPM’s 2024 Impact & Progress Report We’re proud to share NACPM’s 2024 Impact & Progress Report—a reflection on a powerful year of growth, advocacy, and collective action. From launching the Green Bottle Membership Model to advancing licensure efforts across the country, supporting aspiring midwives through scholarships, and deepening our state chapter work, this report highlights what we’ve accomplished together. It also offers a glimpse of where we’re headed in 2025 as we continue to build a strong, inclusive, and sustainable midwifery movement. Read the full report here. Thank you for being part of this work. We couldn’t do it without you. Join Us for NACPM’s Midwifery Student Social Hour! NACPM warmly 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: June 18th, 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! Upcoming Webinar: Wildfire Smoke and Midwifery : Tools for Community Resilience Education and Resilience As wildfire smoke becomes increasingly common across North America, midwives are often on the front lines—supporting clients navigating the health risks it poses during pregnancy. Join us for "Wildfire Smoke and Midwifery: Tools for Community Education and Resilience" with Anna Humphreys, MPH, MSM, CPM, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. This webinar explores the science behind wildfire smoke, its impact on pregnant people and fetuses, and how midwives can share practical tools and resources to promote both mental and physical wellbeing. This session is informed by real-world interviews with CPMs working in smoke-affected areas and offers 2 MEAC CEUs. Register now. Let’s build resilience together—one informed conversation at a time. Veto Override Action Alert – Virginia HB1923: A Midwifery Sustainability Bill Last month, the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed an important midwifery sustainability bill. HB1923 and its budget amendment ensure that Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) receive equitable reimbursement from insurance providers—at 100% of the fee schedule currently provided to Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). This is a critical step toward addressing serious workforce sustainability concerns in perinatal healthcare. Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a shocking veto of this pivotal bill. On Wednesday, April 2, Virginia legislators will have the opportunity to override the veto and enact the law—but they need to hear from their constituents. We’re urging Virginia residents to call and email their legislators to demand an override of this capricious veto. Call Your Legislators! Find your legislators’ phone numbers by entering your address here. Call Script: Hello, can I speak with the healthcare legislative aide please? My name is [NAME], I live in [CITY], and I’m a [PARENT, MIDWIFE, PHYSICIAN, NURSE, DOULA, ETC]. I’m calling to urge the Senator/Representative to override Governor Younkin’s veto of HB1923 and its budget amendment. Midwifery care is a proven solution to the perinatal care crisis in this country. Care with midwives has been proven to improve health outcomes and lower healthcare spending. HB1923 is a bipartisan bill that passed unanimously in the general assembly and the Department of Planning and Budget confirmed that this bill has no fiscal impact on the state health plan. Can your boss commit to voting in support of childbearing families to override the veto? Email Your Legislators Use ACNM’s easy, automated system to send a message to your legislators: Click here to take action. Thank you for taking action to support childbearing families and midwives in Virginia! From Support to Strategy: Celebrating Abriah Miles’ New Role at NACPM NACPM is excited to welcome Abriah Miles as our Operations and Membership Engagement Manager, as well as our New Chapters and Programs Coordinator! This position is pivotal to the structure of NACPM’s membership, operations, and organizational growth. Abriah plays a crucial role in strengthening connections within NACPM, fostering a sense of community among our members, and supporting the development of our chapters and partnership programs. Having originally joined NACPM as our Executive Assistant, she has advanced into this new role, bringing her passion for holistic community building and deep commitment to member engagement. As a multifaceted individual who embodies authenticity and embraces continuous personal growth, Abriah is dedicated to uplifting others through holistic living, community building, and birthwork. With a strong focus on empowering families and supporting attunement during pregnancy, she believes in fostering balance through sustainable and sovereign living practices. Her passion for service began early in life, as she engaged in extensive community volunteer work before continuing her commitment to social good during her undergraduate studies at Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Inspired by her love of nature and holistic health, Abriah has expanded her expertise through specialized training with Mama Glow, the National Black Doula Association, the Ubuntu Wellness Academy, and The Smudged Life. Seeking a deeper connection to ancestral birth practices, she also traveled to Africa to learn from traditional midwives, further enriching her understanding of perinatal care and cultural traditions. Through her work as a doula, holistic health advocate, and community builder, Abriah has come to value the power of patience, embodiment, and collective care. Her diverse skill set positions her as a vital resource for NACPM’s growing community. She is dedicated to building a sustainable system and fostering a village rooted in optimal health and well-being for all. We are excited to have Abriah on board as we continue to strengthen NACPM’s operations, deepen engagement with our members, and cultivate meaningful community connections! New Jersey Midwifery Legislation Update After years of advocacy, NACPM’s New Jersey Legislative Committee is excited to share that meaningful progress is finally within reach. We’re working closely with Assemblywoman Shanique Speight to introduce legislation that will modernize midwifery in the state and recognize the full scope and autonomy of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). While a previous version of our bill—with strong amendments—passed the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee in December 2023, it unfortunately stalled without a Senate companion. Today, we’re in a much stronger position, thanks to new and dedicated support from Assemblywoman Speight’s office. Our bill is now very close to receiving a number, a key milestone in the legislative process. In addition to this primary bill, we’re supporting two other legislative efforts that will uplift and empower all midwives in New Jersey to practice to the full extent of their training and licensure. We’re optimistic, and we’re energized—and we look forward to sharing more soon! Washington Midwives Show Up Strong at Lobby Day 2025 Over 60 midwives, students, and supporters gathered at the Capitol in Olympia for more than 80 meetings with elected officials—demonstrating the power and unity of the midwifery community. This critical advocacy helps preserve policies like the cap on licensing fees, which has saved each Licensed Midwife an estimated $2,500 annually for over 15 years. Even more good news: HB 1824, a bill to eliminate duplicate birth center inspections, unanimously passed out of both the House Health Care Committee and the full House! Lawmakers spoke in strong support of midwifery during both the hearing and the vote—watch the highlights here: Public hearing testimony (starts at 1:37:00): https://tvw.org/video/house-health-care-wellness-2025021200/ Committee vote and supportive remarks (starts at 28:42): https://tvw.org/video/house-health-care-wellness-2025021368/ Track the bill’s progress: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1824&Initiative=false&Year=2025 To learn more about Washington’s legislative priorities and talking points, visit: https://www.washingtonmidwives.org/lobbydayinfo.html Kentucky Ends 40-Year Ban on Birth Centers After five years of determined advocacy, Kentucky has officially passed legislation to exempt freestanding birth centers from the state’s burdensome Certificate of Need (CON) process—removing a major barrier to access that had prevented the establishment of any birth centers in the state for over four decades. This historic win, led by the Kentucky Birth Coalition, comes exactly six years after CPM licensure was achieved in the Bluegrass State. Updated administrative regulations are expected to be completed by December 1, 2025, paving the way for the return of community-based birth center care in Kentucky. A huge congratulations to all the advocates and families who made this possible! Massachusetts Spring Updates: Progress, Programs & Participation Exciting things are unfolding in Massachusetts! The MA chapter of NACPM is making meaningful strides in licensure, professional development, and member engagement—offering a strong example of how local organizing drives national change. The Board of Registration in Midwifery held its first meeting in February and will meet monthly throughout 2025 to establish the rules and regulations governing CPM practice in the Commonwealth. Temporary license rules are expected to be finalized this spring, with permanent licensure expected to take effect by November 24, 2025. MA NACPM now offers chapter-wide access to UpToDate, a valuable clinical resource that supports midwives in navigating complex care decisions with the latest evidence-based guidance. Through a new DPH workforce grant, the Boston College School of Nursing is launching a midwifery engagement and support program aimed at reducing burnout and strengthening the workforce—an effort that includes CPMs in its programming. The chapter has successfully completed its migration to Zeffy, aligning with NACPM National’s Green Bottle platform for streamlined access and member engagement. The MA chapter continues to engage members through active committees in advocacy, education, equity, and more—helping shape policy and practice at the state level in ways that resonate nationwide. Massachusetts continues to show how sustained advocacy and deep community care can move the needle—both locally and beyond. You're Invited: Maternal Mental Health Roundtable 2025 We’re excited to share that Renewell has generously extended a 10% discount to NACPM members for their upcoming event focused on the future of maternal mental health. This expert-led roundtable will dive into the stories, challenges, and successes of parents from pregnancy through early childhood—while exploring community-based support, advocacy in the upcoming administration, and holistic strategies for maternal well-being. This event is a great fit for birth workers, educators, program managers, students, and anyone committed to improving care for birthing people and families. The NACPM  Discount Code will be emailed to members in a separate email. Register here We’re grateful to Renewell for recognizing the value of our community and offering this opportunity to engage in such an important conversation. NACPM is in the process of considering the application of the Michigan based organization Michigan Midwives Association to become a State Partner with NACPM. NACPM is also in the process of considering the application of the Ohio based organization Buckeye Birth Coalition to become a State Partner with NACPM. Part of our process of considering Partner applications is requesting public comment. Public comments provide an opportunity for our community to inform the NACPM Board's decision making process and allow NACPM to benefit from our community's expertise and perspective. Through a public comment a member of the public can assist NACPM in making the best informed decision when considering State Partner Applications. Please provide any additional facts, information, or opinions you think NACPM should know when considering these partner organizations on our the forms linked below.  Comments will be accepted until the end of day 4/4/25. Public Comment Form: Partnership Application for the Michigan Midwives Association Public Comment Form: Partnership Application for the Buckeye Birth Coalition April Silent Auction: Somatic Yoga Workshop with Lisa Peña, LM, CPM In celebration of NACPM’s 25th anniversary, we’re continuing our monthly silent auction series! Each month, a board member offers a unique item and shares their “why” behind raising funds for NACPM’s work. This month’s offering comes from NACPM Board Member Lisa Peña, LM, CPM: A 90-minute virtual guided somatic yoga session to support nervous system recovery, restorative healing, and dedicated time to peel back the layers of our day-to-day. Invite unlimited friends, family, or colleagues—this session is for your whole community. Starting bid: $200 | Valued at $400 Session to be scheduled with Lisa; must be redeemed by July 15, 2025. Why This Matters – A Message from Lisa Peña, LM, CPM "As a mother, a full-time supervisor, midwife, educator, yogi, and board member, I know how important sustainability is for those of us doing birth and reproductive work. This session is an offering for our bodies, our nervous systems, and our long-term capacity to keep showing up. By bidding on this workshop, you're supporting NACPM’s mission and the wellbeing of our profession—midwifing the midwives and birth workers who carry so much. When we start with ourselves, we can create a ripple effect that supports high-quality, respectful care for everyone." Place your bid now and support NACPM’s vision of equity, sustainability, and collective care. 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! NACPM is proud to be supported by hundreds of individual donors and these visionary foundations. © 2024 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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