Childbirth Collective Member Handbook

1. We believe in evidence-based care surrounding the reproductive and perinatal period. We believe: 

• people have the right to informed consent, informed refusal, and shared decision making.
• people are entitled to complete information and support regarding chest/breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition for most babies.
  people should have access to the care provider and birth setting of their choosing, whether that be culturally competent providers and services, facilities, or places of birth - home, birth center, or hospital.
• people have the right to birth and postpartum support; they are more likely to have a positive birth as well as early parenting experiences when they are well supported. As such, we strongly believe in having a solid back-up system in place for birth and postpartum doulas.
• a person’s reproductive rights include unbiased support through all phases of reproduction including fertility, conception, abortion, adoption, miscarriage, prenatal, birth, and beyond. Our organization is firmly rooted in full spectrum reproductive rights.

2. We recognize the disparities in healthcare within black, brown, indigenous, Latinx, and LGBTQIA communities throughout the birth continuum. We believe:

• families have the right to culturally competent and congruent care.
• disparities are due to systemic racism and biases and we are addressing that through dialogue, sponsoring training for our own membership, and active engagement and outreach to medical providers and facilities.

3. We expect our white members to unpack their biases, educate themselves on privilege, and work to uplift marginalized communities.

• We recognize that everyone has different starting points in this work. We hope members will come to this with openness and a willingness to reflect and grow.
• We will support this through educational opportunities sponsored by the Collective, but we do expect members to do their own work.
• We believe in compensating marginalized communities for their work and providing reparations where possible. As such, we will not be charging marginalized communities for memberships.

4. We value our members as volunteers and will work towards supporting sustainable business models and practices, and healthy work-life balance.

• We expect members to attend the annual meeting, and vote, to the best of their capabilities.
• We will support member businesses within our social media and networking events, and through business highlights on social media.
• We will have regular gatherings for continuing professional education and social interaction.