BirthWork
Everyone walking this planet is born from someone — yet we rarely celebrate the people and the work of bringing new life into this world. In the face of persistent threats to maternal health and other critical injustices in perinatal health, community-led solutions, policies, and movements are paving pathways toward better birth outcomes. In this podcast, we’ll dig into the work happening today by tremendous individuals to ensure generations of thriving and striving communities. You'll hear directly from leaders, organizers, and birthworkers as they share what it takes to confront barriers to health and wellbeing and celebrate the transformation of birth for individuals, families, communities, states, and our nation. Together, we will reimagine what birth experiences can be.
BirthWork
Supporting The Doula, Featuring Ankita Patel
With the continuing shortage of maternal health care providers, doulas are filling in the gaps to respectfully support birthing people and families to navigate systems of care before, during, and after childbirth. The importance of offsetting the emotional burden from birth workers is only growing as we rely on their expertise and experience to improve maternal health outcomes. As doulas are known for their steadfast support throughout the birthing process, we are reminded in part two of BirthWork’s episode on doulas to prioritize the wellbeing of doulas and other members of the perinatal workforce. Your AMCHP cohost explores what it means to provide doula care to support different populations in 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 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.
Guest Speaker:
- Ankita Patel, Doula Program Manager at REACHUP, Inc. in Tampa, Florida
Episode Host:
- Giannina Ong, Program Manager for Reproductive and Maternal Health at AMCHP
Resources:
- Want to learn more about REACHUP, Inc? Check out on their website.
- Where can I find a doula? Every Mother Counts
- Consider using our discussion guide to facilitate conversations and reflection.
- Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.