The Voice of Midwives in New York
Our vision is for New York Midwives to be an expansive, diverse, and anti-racist organization dedicated to fostering culturally humble, empowered, and safe healthcare that holistically fulfills every New Yorker. We restore midwifery’s integrity by returning to our ancient roots as protectors of sexual and reproductive health and birthing spaces and to our place as frontline healthcare workers who come from and are embedded within the communities we serve. Our commitment is to offer healing through our care so that each person may carry and transmute their worth and power to all aspects of their lives.
Our Mission
Our focus is to combat the root causes of racialized health disparities and inequities, thereby reducing New York State’s perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. New York Midwives acknowledges and seeks to dismantle its role in midwifery’s history of white supremacy and racist exclusion described fully in the American College of Nurse-Midwives truth and reconciliation statement. We strive to amplify historically excluded voices in our education programs, workplaces, and care spaces throughout the state and transform laws, regulations and structures that do not promote human rights and individual wellbeing. As a body of midwives, we are committed to self and collective growth to facilitate care experiences where people and communities feel heard and understood.
A Message from The New York Midwives
New York Midwives strongly opposes Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents being present in hospitals, especially on labor and birth units, as occurred at Rochester General Hospital on February 26, 2025. An undocumented pregnant woman was detained, guarded by CBP like a criminal and denied legal counsel while seeking medical attention.
Every person on earth came into being through their mother. Birth is a sacred event where midwives protect mothers as they bring their babies into the world. All humans should be afforded dignity and care during the birth process. We are all “undocumented” at birth; making the journey into human form does not require any “documents.” No human families should be disrupted while seeking compassionate medical care in any circumstance.
The presence of CBP agents in hospitals disrupts patient care by compromising the safety and sanctity of the space, creating an atmosphere of fear and distress for both staff and patients. At a time when clinicians must remain focused and clear-headed, the presence of CBP adds an element of policing to an environment that should prioritize privacy, dignity, and respect.
Beyond potentially violating human rights, CBP agents undoubtedly obstruct the compassionate care that midwives, doctors, and nurses provide to all patients, regardless of political affiliation, skin color, or country of origin.
We STRONGLY condemn this incident and the violation of basic human rights everywhere.
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How You Can Support NY Midwives
Become A Member
Joining the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives is important for all midwives so we can increase access and choice for the families we care for in the state.
