Trust and Faith: African American Midwifery in the Southern United States, 1808–1950

The focus of this research is African American lay midwives in the Antebellum and Jim Crow South (1808–1950). This thesis investigates how our understanding of Black midwifery changes when we put trust and faith at the centre of the analysis. The history of Black midwives in the rural South has important lessons for modern-day approaches to maternal care. By understanding the historical role of the African American lay midwife, we can better appreciate the relationship between intercultural competence and diversity in midwifery to provide safe birth outcomes for all women.