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 inequities and threats leading to the Black maternal health crisis 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 structural and systemic 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
What Makes A Doula, Featuring Marna Armstead
Birthworkers have been attending pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum for centuries. In the 21st century, birthworkers, such as doulas, continue to provide vital support to birthing people while simultaneously addressing challenges faced by all mothers in America, and especially birthing people of color. 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.
Guest Speakers:
- Marna Armstead, Doula and Co-Founder of SisterWeb in San Francisco, California
Cohosts:
- Shaquelle Ballou, former Program Manager at AMCHP
Resources:
- Want to learn more about SisterWeb? Check out on their website.
- Where can I find a doula? Every Mother Counts
- Consider using our discussion guide to facilitate conversations and reflection.
- Follow us @BetterBirthOutcomes on Instagram and don’t forget to like this episode!
- Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.