Amid declining hospital labour and delivery services in Black communities, a solution-oriented approach is emerging to address the gaps in pregnancy and birthing health resources, according to the Seattle Times.

Faisa Farole, a determined advocate, has taken a step forward by establishing the Federal Way Birth Center in response to the region’s financial strains faced by healthcare systems.

“The (research) shows that midwifery is the answer for saving Black lives and giving women satisfactory care that they enjoy being part of, as well,” she told the Seattle Times.

Over the past few years, Washington state has proposed funding and training for doulas, doctors, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare providers to enhance pregnancy and birthing health resources, particularly in vulnerable communities.

The legislation reflects a growing acceptance of community midwives and doulas, especially during the pandemic, when home births and birth centres gained popularity due to overcrowded hospitals.

Despite research indicating that midwifery can lead to better birth outcomes for low-risk individuals, there still exists some stigma around independent, out-of-hospital midwifery, according to Farole.

The newly established birth centre boasts three fully equipped birth suites, exam rooms, teaching areas, and an office. While less resource-rich than hospitals, the centre provides essential medical amenities such as oxygen, IVs, and some medicines. Farole said she envisions the birth centre evolving into a community hub, offering childbirth and lactation education, midwife training, and comprehensive support for families before, during, and after pregnancy.

Lakisha Hubbard, a new mom from Des Moines, Washington, told the Seattle Times that she strongly desired a natural birthing experience, leading her to explore the birth centre. Despite her daughter arriving prematurely, Hubbard said having diverse healthcare teams and representation was necessary. While her plans shifted to a hospital delivery at Providence Swedish on Seattle's First Hill, she emphasized the significance of support and resources for families of colour, including fathers and co-parents.

“I didn’t want to use medication because I wanted to be able to listen to what my body was saying, versus listening to a machine or what a physician is saying,” Hubbard said.

“When it comes to religion, not everyone understands where you’re coming from or will support it,” Hubbard said. “You can get a lot of pushback from that. Having a diverse team working with you in health care is important. Having that representation, in general, is very important given the population in South King County.”

Farole, a Muslim herself, said she would serve a diverse range of patients, including those from immigrant and refugee communities, drawing from her own experience as an immigrant from Somalia in 1993.

As Farole awaits final permits from the state Department of Health to begin delivering babies in early 2024, she said that the birth centre is just the beginning of her plans to positively impact birthing experiences in the community.

“I know what it’s like to come into a new place, not to know the language. This is just a drop in the bucket,” Farole said. “I have a lot of plans for the center.”