Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Study Impact of Traumatic Births
Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Traumatic Births Research Act, legislation that would authorize research on the impacts of traumatic birth experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder on mothers, infants, and their families, as well as evaluate how midwife-driven care can improve maternal health outcomes.
Maternal mental health (MMH) disorders—such as postpartum depression and PTSD—are the most common complication of childbirth, affecting about one in five U.S. women, and have worsened significantly in recent years. Many of these challenges stem from the birth experience itself. A staggering one in three women report birth-related trauma, and one in five report mistreatment in healthcare settings during pregnancy or childbirth. Women of color face a higher rate of complications and substandard care, contributing to poorer mental health outcomes. Up to 40% of Black and Latina mothers experience postpartum depressive symptoms—about twice the rate of white mothers—and are significantly less likely to receive treatment.
The bill would also include research into how midwife-driven care can decrease the frequency of traumatic births and improve outcomes for mothers. In many high-income countries, midwives serve as the primary maternity care providers, resulting in significantly better birth outcomes. Given their proven success globally, studying the impact of midwives and doulas in the U.S. could greatly improve maternal health and reduce MMH disorders.
Two recent incidents brought attention to the pervasiveness of traumatic birth experiences. In November 2025, Mercedes Wells was turned away from an Indiana hospital while in active labor. Minutes later, Mercedes' daughter was born on the side of the road while her husband attempted to drive her to another hospital. A few days earlier, in a Dallas hospital, Kiara Jones was left in a hospital triage room for 30 minutes while in active labor. Jones gave birth minutes after she was finally moved to a labor and delivery room.
“In 2025, two Black women faced traumatic birthing experiences at opposite ends of the country that raised the issue of how women, and especially women of color, are treated in hospitals,” said Watson Coleman. “Traumatic births lead to higher rates of complications. Through this bill, we will finally get mothers the much-needed answer to questions surrounding trauma, birth, and mental health. With sufficient research, we can implement practices that can save lives.”
The Traumatic Births Research Act is endorsed by the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance.
“No mother should leave childbirth carrying invisible trauma without support or recognition,” said Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, Founder and Director of Policy and Partnerships for Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. “This bill is an important step toward addressing traumatic birth experiences, maternal PTSD, and the long-term impacts on mothers and infants. It also recognizes the critical role midwives play in providing compassionate, patient-centered care that can improve maternal mental health outcomes. As the U.S. continues to face an ongoing maternal health crisis, we must center equity and expand access to respectful, culturally responsive care, especially for women in underserved communities and women of color who continue to experience disproportionately high maternal mortality rates.”
The Traumatic Births Research Act is cosponsored by Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Hank Johnson (GA-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and André Carson (IN-07).
Text of the bill can be found here.