We want a maternity care system that recognizes
YOU OWN YOUR BODY
We are working to dismantle the monopoly that tells us how, where, and with whom we are ‘allowed’ and ‘not allowed’ to give birth.
Free Quick Guide – Know Your Rights!
Learn about your most important basic rights during hospital birth
AND START MAKING EMPOWERED CHOICES!
THE FACTS
ON AMERICAN MATERNITY CARE
At least 98% of U.S births happen in hospitals, over 90% with physicians rather than midwives
We have the most expensive, worst performing maternity care system in the developed world
Birthing people are regularly subject to traumatic, dehumanizing care and rights violations
A state-enforced hospital monopoly severely restricts our ability to opt out of this system
What is obstetric violence (mistreatment in maternity care)?
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WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
New! Obstetric Violence Course for Advocates
A "Must" Course for All Birth Pros
Mistreated in Birth? What To Do Next
Hi, I’m Cristen, founder of Birth Monopoly
When I was pregnant and gave birth to my son, I saw the dysfunction in our maternity care system firsthand. Many of the messages I received were intended to encourage a compliant patient, not an informed and active participant. As the woman giving birth, I felt more like a passenger than a driver.
My experience sparked a career change from public affairs to study American maternity care and women’s rights within it. Since 2012, I have been passionately raising awareness about the abuse of power and obstetric violence running rampant in the maternity care system. My goal is to support birthing people in demanding their rights, options, and power. Together, we can topple the monopoly on childbirth that constrains those rights and options so much… and put birth on birthing people’s terms.
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LATEST ON THE BLOG
We Are Now a Licensed Continuing Education Provider
Birth Monopoly is excited to announce we are now a licensed Continuing Education Provider approved through the State of California Board of Registered Nursing, able to provide nursing contact hours within the U.S. That means we can help nurses, nurse midwives, and...
Exposing the Role of Labor and Delivery Nurses as Active Bystanders in Preventing or Perpetuating Obstetric Violence
Read the first paper ever published on obstetric violence in the U.S.’ #1 perinatal nursing journal.
Fake Hospital Birth Centers: Sutter Health Bait & Switch?
Hospital advertising–using language about “choice,” “autonomy,” and respect for birth plans–has evolved along with the changing demands of a more informed birthing population… but how reliable are those promises?
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