“Where have our Mothers Gone?”: Combating Native American Maternal Health Disparities with Traditional Birthing Practices in Southwestern Indigenous Communities

Abstract

This piece examines Native American maternal health disparities in the United States and proposes an integrated form of maternal care for Indigenous communities. Native Americans have some of the highest rates of maternal health disparities across ethnic and racial minorities, yet the underlying causes of these issues remain poorly understood. Native communities continue to endure violations to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Drawing on traditional birth practices from these communities can alleviate these issues. Incorporating evidence from maternal health studies, personal interviews, and a case study of the first and only Native American integrative health clinic in the United States, this piece demonstrates the successful potential of Indigenous integrative health practices. It argues for the integration of traditional Indigenous birthing practices and Western forms of maternal care. This integrative approach aims to bridge cultural gaps in maternal care given to Indigenous communities and address issues of medical racism and trauma.