Bridging the Gap: Midwife Staysha Quentrill Champions Maternal Health in Appalachia
Table of Contents
- 1. Bridging the Gap: Midwife Staysha Quentrill Champions Maternal Health in Appalachia
- 2. The maternal Health Crisis in West Virginia
- 3. Staysha Quentrill: A Beacon of Hope
- 4. The Power of Shared Experience
- 5. Looking ahead: Expanding Access and Empowering Communities
- 6. The Path Forward: policy, Advocacy, and Community Action
- 7. In what ways can communities actively promote maternal health equity, and what role do you think shared experiences play in improving care?
- 8. bridging the Gap: an Interview with Midwife Staysha Quentrill
By archyde news Journalist
The maternal Health Crisis in West Virginia
In the heart of Appalachia, West Virginia faces a notable maternal health crisis.Access to quality prenatal and postnatal care is limited, particularly for Black and brown women in rural communities. The state’s preterm birth rate, graded an “F” by the March of Dimes with a 13.1% rate of babies born before 37 weeks, underscores the urgent need for change. This is further complex by the fact that approximately 30% of West Virginia’s population relies on Medicaid,which often doesn’t cover crucial services like home births and care from certified nurse midwives.
Contributing factors include:
- Limited access to hospitals and birthing centers in many parts of the state.
- Long travel distances for expectant mothers to receive prenatal care.
- socioeconomic challenges exacerbated by resource extraction industries.
| Indicator | West Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Preterm Birth Rate (2023) | 13.1% | 10.5% |
| Medicaid Coverage | 30% of Population | ~18% of population |
| Rural Population | ~45% | ~19% |
Staysha Quentrill: A Beacon of Hope
Amidst these challenges, Staysha Quentrill, a dedicated midwife and a mother of seven, is making a tangible difference. Based in West Virginia, Quentrill focuses on providing culturally sensitive and accessible care to Black and brown Appalachian women, empowering them to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.
Her work extends beyond direct patient care. Quentrill is actively involved in advocating for policy changes that would expand access to midwifery services. She played a role in drafting a West Virginia bill aimed at licensing professional midwives, which would enable insurance and Medicaid coverage for thier services.
The significance of Quentrill’s work is highlighted by research indicating that Research shows more positive health outcomes and greater satisfaction when patients share the same race or ethnicity as their providers.
This underscores the importance of culturally concordant care, particularly in regions where systemic inequities can create additional barriers to accessing healthcare.
A key aspect of Quentrill’s approach is building trust and rapport with her patients. She understands the unique challenges faced by Black and brown women in Appalachia and strives to create a safe and supportive surroundings.
As Quentrill explains, In a world where microaggressions happen and racism can be so subtle, having somebody with you that you’ve created a bond with can let those [vigilant] parts of yourself down…That way you can just be fully present for the birth rather of having some sort of guard up to protect yourself.
This speaks to the profound impact of feeling understood and supported during a vulnerable time like childbirth. This approach fosters trust and allows women to be more actively involved in their care.
Looking ahead: Expanding Access and Empowering Communities
Quentrill’s vision extends beyond individual care. She is committed to expanding her services to reach more minority patients, with plans to offer free childbirth classes and post-birth caregiving instruction for families. This holistic approach recognizes that maternal health is intertwined with family well-being and community support.
Her dedication is inspiring others. One of Quentrill’s former patients, who experienced an empowering at-home birth, is now pursuing a public health degree and working as a breastfeeding peer counselor.This ripple effect demonstrates the transformative power of accessible and supportive maternal care.
Moreover, Quentrill emphasizes the broader context of environmental justice and its impact on maternal health. With resource extraction negatively affecting nonwhite Appalachians, Quentrill states, When it comes to Black and brown midwives, we’re tasked to create care for Black and brown peopel…and to fix this problem that we didn’t cause.
The Path Forward: policy, Advocacy, and Community Action
The challenges facing maternal health in West Virginia and similar regions require a multi-pronged approach. Key strategies include:
- Policy Changes: Advocating for legislation that licenses professional midwives and ensures insurance coverage for their services.
- Increased Funding: Investing in maternal health programs, particularly in underserved communities.
- Community-Based Initiatives: Supporting local organizations that provide prenatal and postnatal care, childbirth education, and breastfeeding support.
- Addressing Environmental Factors: Mitigating the impact of pollution and resource extraction on maternal and infant health.
bridging the Gap: an Interview with Midwife Staysha Quentrill
Interviewer: Welcome to Archyde News, Staysha. It’s a privilege to have you with us to discuss the critical issue of maternal health in appalachia.
Staysha quentrill: Thank you for having me. I’m glad to be here.
Interviewer: The statistics paint a concerning picture, especially the preterm birth rate in west virginia. Can you shed some light on the challenges faced by expectant mothers, particularly Black and brown women, in the region?
Staysha Quentrill: Certainly. There are several layers.We see limited access to hospitals and birthing centers, long travel distances for prenatal care, and, importantly, socioeconomic challenges. Factors like limited access translate into delayed prenatal care which is critical. Additionally,for many,navigating Medicaid and understanding what services are covered can be complex.
Interviewer: You’re a midwife based in West Virginia.what specific approaches do you use to address these challenges and provide support to your patients?
Staysha Quentrill: I focus on providing culturally sensitive care. Building a strong sense of trust and rapport is crucial. In a world where microaggressions are frequent, and systemic inequities are present, it’s essential to create a safe space where women feel supported and understood during their pregnancy and birth. This includes educating families and giving them the tools they need.
Interviewer: Your work also extends beyond direct patient care. Can you tell us about your advocacy efforts and how you are working for policy changes?
Staysha Quentrill: Absolutely. I am actively involved in advocating laws and policies. For example, I helped draft West Virginia legislation aimed at licensing professional midwives, something that would allow Medicaid to cover their services. Greater access to midwifery services can dramatically shift the landscape of care.
Interviewer: You mentioned trust – that is fundamental, isn’t it? Can you expand on that from the viewpoint of a patient?
Staysha Quentrill: Having a provider—someone who shares a similar background and life experiance—can make a difference. It decreases stress, allows a woman to relax during labor, and allows her to actively participate in her care.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what does the future of maternal health in Appalachia look like, in your vision?
Staysha Quentrill: it involves expanding our services, offering free childbirth classes and postpartum care education. it involves a holistic approach, and it also must consider environmental justice. Environmental factors directly and adversely affect maternal health. Ultimately, this means better health outcomes not only for mothers but for families and the entire community.
Interviewer: What can readers do to help?
Staysha Quentrill: Contacting your elected officials and supporting policies that prioritize maternal health in your state make a huge difference. Donating to local organizations working at the ground level is huge as well.
Interviewer: Staysha, this has been incredibly insightful. Now, a thought-provoking question for our readers: in what ways can communities actively promote maternal health equity, and what role do you think shared experiences play in improving care? We welcome your thoughts in the comments.
Staysha Quentrill: Thank you for having me.
