Welcome to BirthWork

Podcast! Hosted by the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs’ Women’s and Infant Health Team, BirthWork is your gateway to celebrating the continuous achievements of communities, professionals, practitioners, and families in the journey to create safer and more equitable birthing experiences. In its inaugural season, BirthWork spotlights the grantees of the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative. These dedicated leaders are tirelessly working to improve maternal health outcomes by meeting the diverse needs of their communities. Tune into the first episode to hear their stories here!

Listen to BirthWork:

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Episode 1: Unlocking the Power of MMRCs

In the premiere episode, BirthWork explores the crucial roles of Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) in reshaping maternal health outcomes in the United States. Join them as they delve into how MMRCs offer invaluable insights and recommendations to combat maternal mortality in the U.S.

Featuring:

• Dr. Aasta Mehta, OB/GYN, and Medical Officer of Women’s Health at the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health.
• Teneele Bruce, biologist, doula, and Pathways Project Director at Baltimore Healthy Start.

Episode 2: What Makes A Doula, Featuring Marna Armstead

In this special two-part episode, your AMCHP hosts speak with two doulas to explore their inspirations and motivations for birth work. Marna Armstead from San Francisco reflects on her experiences in a system that has medicalized birth and what it truly means to advocate as a birth companion through culturally congruent care. Listen to learn about the joy doulas spread to individuals, families, and communities at large helping to create more respectful and equitable birthing spaces from coast to coast. And don't forget to catch part 2 of this episode where we talk to Ankita Patel from Tampa, FL.

Featuring:

• Marna Armstead, Doula and Co-Founder of SisterWeb in San Francisco, California

Episode 3: Supporting The Doula, Featuring Ankita Patel

In this special two-part episode, your AMCHP hosts explore what it means to provide doula care to support a diverse community and the fluidity in the role of a doula with Ankita Patel of REACHUP, Inc., a community-based organization in Tampa, FL. Tune in to this episode to garner a new take on how “it takes a village” to equitably bring life into the world. And if you haven’t heard what makes a doula, listen to the part 1 of this episode where we talk to Marna Armstead from San Francisco.

Featuring:

• Ankita Patel, Doula Program Manager at REACHUP, Inc. in Tampa, Florida