Human Rights During Childbirth Archives

Rooted in Justice, Carried in Faith: A Call to Protect Black Mothers

Written By: Amina Muse and Zakirah Idrissu As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.” In the United States, April 11th–17th is recognized as Black Maternal Health Week. This observance brings national attention to the persistently high maternal mortality rates, particularly among Black women and women of African descent. Each year, a theme is chosen to guide reflection and action. In 2026, the theme is Rooted in Justice and Joy, a call to address inequities in care while also centering the lived experiences, dignity, and well-being of [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-06-02T14:23:25+00:00Tags: Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, Human Rights During Childbirth|10 Comments

Designed to Heal: The Truth About Tearing in Birth

Written By: Zeinab Uddin For decades, the episiotomy - a surgical cut made at the perineum during birth - was presented as a "necessary" part of childbirth, especially for first-time mothers. What many don't realize is that this practice began not out of medical necessity, but as a marketing ploy to make the use of forceps more convenient. Today, research and global health authorities like ACOG, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have made it clear: routine episiotomies are outdated and not recommended. Studies show they do not prevent severe tears - [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2025-11-09T08:31:30+00:00Tags: Autonomous Birth, Human Rights During Childbirth|7 Comments

Implications of Environmental Stressors on Birth Physiology

Pregnant women across the globe practice in their own way of preparing for their births. with their hearts set on the best outcome for their babies. Such is the pure, dedicated heart of a mother that she easily forgets about her own needs, and often fails to appreciate the fact that taking care of her needs, in reality, helps to create the positive and safe birth that she rightfully desires. Although two separate individuals, a mother and baby are linked as one (also referred to as mother-baby dyad), therefore any stressful event affecting the laboring mother directly influences the baby [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2020-07-14T16:29:10+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth, Autonomous Birth, Doulas, Human Rights During Childbirth, Maternal Health Care System, Mothers&Babies|2 Comments

Stories Of Inspiration And Empowerment: AMANI Birth Changing Lives Series

Profile: Wahiba Naeem Themes occurring in the birth story: Epidural vs Natural birth experience Advantages of having a Doula/support person(s) Things I did that I believed would help during my birthing experience The physical and emotional tolls of Epidural and the cascade of interventions that follow Pregnancy and birth is an experience of a lifetime and we all want it to be incredible. Who doesn't? Yet if we are not well prepared or do not have the right support, we can experience trauma like I did with my first born. And then there was the magic of natural birth with [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2023-01-29T09:55:52+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth Changing Lives, Autonomous Birth, BirthStories, Human Rights During Childbirth, Maternal Health Care System|1 Comment

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Rooted in Justice, Carried in Faith: A Call to Protect Black Mothers

Designed to Heal: The Truth About Tearing in Birth

Implications of Environmental Stressors on Birth Physiology

Stories Of Inspiration And Empowerment: AMANI Birth Changing Lives Series