Black mothers and birthing people share their hospital birthing experiences during COVID19.
Black birthing communities describe their expectations and needs for a SACRED hospital birth.
SACRED birth honors diverse and inclusive birthing pleasure, practices, partners, and parents.
SACRED birth amplifies Blackness in all forms & expressions and honors Black bodies & lives.
SACRED birth believes Black births are spiritual, transformative, emancipatory, and power-activating.
SACRED birth celebrates the tender kisses between Black babies and Black mothers.
SACRED birth honors the healing presence and touch of our elders, doulas, aunties, mothers, and grandmothers.
SACRED birth honors the strength and comfort between Black babies and their fathers, big brothers, uncles, and guardians.
SACRED birth supports and celebrates Black mothers and birthing people who body feed their Black babies.
SACRED Birth is Black Love.
SACRED Birth is Black Joy.
SACRED Birth is Black Hope.

SACRED Birth During COVID19

The SACRED Birth Study officially ended January 31, 2021.

Congratulations to all who made this happen, especially to Black mothers and birthing people. Study enrollment for the SACRED Birth Study ended 1/15/2021. Data collection from existing enrolled participants ended 1/31/2021.  Since the online release of the Patient Reported Experience Measure of OBstetric racism©, also known as the PREM-OB Scale™, on October 19, 2020 for data collection:

  • 2,480 people clicked on the website's referral link. 
  • 64 people were referred by providers.
  • 1,655 people completed the online self-screening and signed the consent form.
  • 845 people signed the consent form AND completed the contact form, passed the phone verification process, and did NOT later withdraw or decline to continue.
  • 815 Black mothers and birthing people fully consented, completed the contact form, passed ALL phone verification processes, completed the enrollment survey, and completed the final survey by 1/31/2021.
    • Birthed in California in 2020 (goal = 400) = 297 (74.25%)
    • Birthed in Memphis, TN in 2020 (goal = 100) = 47 (47%)
    • Birthed elsewhere in the U.S. in 2020 (goal = 500) = 471 (94.2%)

By ending the study BEFORE 2/28/2021, we completed study enrollment and data collection in gratitude and abundance, with financial and social integrity.

We will have the first and only soon to be validated Patient Reported Experience Measure of OBstetric racism©, also known as the PREM-OB Scale™, one of the most culturally and scientifically rigorous perinatal PREMs.

Thank you ALL for supporting Black mothers & birthing people and our team.

 

 

The SACRED Birth Study is designed to validate the first and only Patient Reported Experience Measure of OBstetric racism©, also known as the PREM-OB Scale™, developed in 2019 and owned by Dr. Karen A. Scott, MD, MPH, FACOG. The PREM-OB Scale™ examines obstetric racism, as defined for, by, and with Black mothers and Black birthing people, during hospitalization for labor, birth, and postpartum in six theorized patient identified quality of care domains:

Safety, Autonomy, Communication, Racism, Empathy, and Dignity = SACRED 

Study Overview

 

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Research Topic

Testing a NEW survey that captures patient experiences of obstetric racism during hospital births in a COVID19 pandemic

 

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Location

Online

 

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Compensation

$100 electronic gift card

What is the purpose of this study?

SACRED Birth in the time of COVID19 lifts up and amplifies the voices, lived experiences, wisdom, and humanity of Black mothers and birthing people, Black women-led community-based organizations (CBOs), and Black women scholars.  

The goal of this study is to test a new survey tool designed in 2019 and owned by Dr. Karen A. Scottt, MD, MPH, FACOG, the Patient Reported Experience Measure of OBstetric racism©, also known as the PREM-OB Scale™. The PREM-OB Scale™ is the first and only patient informed quality improvement (QI) measure developed in 2019 for, by, and with Black mothers and birthing people, in equitable and dignified partnerships with Black women-led community-based organizations.  The PREM-OB Scale™ allows for Black mothers and birthing people to share information about their unique patient experiences in hospital settings during labor, birth, and postpartum.  The information gained from the PREM-OB Scale™ will help hospitals, health plans, scientists, funders, and the public better understand how obstetric racism and other forms of neglect and mistreatment affect the ways that hospitals provide care, services, and support to Black mothers and birthing people during labor, birth, and postpartum.

Who can join?

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You may be able to join if you...

  • identify as Black or African American
  • are 18 years of age or older
  • gave birth to a live newborn in 2020
  • gave birth in a hospital anywhere in the U.S., with a focus on California or Memphis, TN

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You can't join if you...

  • are 17 years of age or younger
  • gave birth before 1/1/2020
  • had an out of hospital birth
  • can't read and speak English

Frequently asked questions

What will participants be asked to do?

  • Complete a one-time online survey that takes about 1 - 2 hours.

Will participants be paid? 

Participants will receive a $100 electronic gift card via email within 7-10 business days of completing the survey.

 

 

Online Referral & Enrollment Process: The study ended 1/31/2021.

For interested participants: 

If you would like to complete the online self-screening and enrollment process: CLICK HERE

For hospitals, health centers, & health plans:

If you would like to refer your patients to the SACRED Birth study: CLICK HERE

Want more information?

Click below or you can reach the study team by phone at 510-545-2989, or email at [email protected]

CONTACT THE STUDY TEAM AT [email protected]