In this episode of BirthWork, we explore the transformative power of storytelling in addressing maternal health in Detroit. AMCHP host Kameron Jones is joined by Alethia Carr and Princella Graham from Project Detroit Voices for Life to discuss how integrating community voices is reshaping maternal care. Through the lens of personal stories, they shed light on critical issues like maternal morbidity and mortality, provider training, and the importance of doulas and midwives in providing support and care with dignity and respect. The episode also highlights the broader work of the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (SEMQIC) and how they’re using storytelling to foster empathy, change the narrative on maternal health, and equip people in their communities to advocate for themselves. Tune in to learn how these efforts are inspiring systemic change and making birth experiences safer and more supportive for all.

Guest Speakers:

• Alethia Carr, Project Detroit: Voices for Life Health Equity Consultant, SEMPQIC
• Princella Graham, Project Detroit: Voices for Life Project Coordinator, SEMPQIC

Hosts:

• Kameron Jones, Reproductive and Maternal Health Program Analyst at AMCHP
• Ellisa Alvarez, Community-Defined Evidence Program Analyst at AMCHP

Resources:

• Four-Pronged Approach of Project Detroit: Voices for Life Initiative (PD: VFL)
  • Accomplishments of PD: VFL
• “Our Voices/Our Birth- Hear Us!: Detroit Mothers Speak” campaign 
  • Listen to Oliva’s Birthing Story referenced during the episode on not being heard

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.

In this episode of BirthWork, Candice Simon speaks with Tara Shaw to explore the unique challenges of maternal care in Mississippi, particularly in the context of the water crisis and ongoing water quality issues in Jackson, Mississippi. Tara highlights the state of Jackson's water system, which has been a long-standing issue exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure. She shares the struggles faced by mothers who are forced to find solutions for daily necessities like drinking, bathing, and feeding their children. Tara shares her journey as a doula and supporting doulas, offering candid insights into the barriers faced from challenges to obtaining clean water to systemic barriers in healthcare access. Through her own lived experience, Tara reveals the realities of advocating for mothers in a state with maternal care deserts and environmental hazards, while emphasizing the resilience and strength of the communities she serves.

Join us as Tara discusses the broader implications of the water crisis on maternal health, how local groups are stepping up to provide solutions, and the vital importance of community-based birthwork, advocacy, and the collective power in shaping policy changes that benefit families. From practical stories of doula work to the on-the-ground issues that demand attention, this episode dives deep into what it means to care for mothers and pregnant people amid environmental crisis.

Guest Speaker:

• Tara Shaw, a former Program Manager for the Jackson Safer Childbirth Experience

Episode Host:

• Candice Simon, MPH, Program Manager for Workforce Development & Capacity Building at AMCHP

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.

On this episode of BirthWork, our hosts discuss how to best support teen parents and reduce teen pregnancy with two doulas and maternal health advocates. Our guest speakers touch on their personal experiences to address the quality, safety, and sensitivity of the care and resources available for pregnant and parenting teens. 

Our first guest, Daylisha Reid, is a Program Director from Texas who reflects on her childhood and connecting with her mother about teen parenthood and highlights the importance of medically accurate sex education for both teenagers and their parents. Our second guest Mariana Anguiano, a former doula with Strong Tomorrows in Tulsa, Oklahoma, emphasizes parental and familial support for pregnant teens and explores how her own experience as a teen mother helps her provide intentional and holistic support for teen parents in Tulsa. Listen to this episode of BirthWork to learn more about how policies, systems, and communities can cultivate better and healthier futures for teen parents and their families.

Guest Speakers:  

• Daylisha Reid, Program Director at Mama Sana Vibrant Woman
• Mariana Anguiano, a former doula with Strong Tomorrows

Episode Hosts:   

• Giannina Ong, Program Manager for Reproductive and Maternal Health at AMCHP 
• Gabrielle Beck, Student Co-Chair of the Youth Voice Amplified committee at AMCHP

Resources:

• Use our discussion guide for reflection and conversation.

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.

With the continuing shortage of maternal health care providers, doulas are filling in the gaps to respectfully support families in navigating 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.

Birthworkers have been attending pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum for centuries. In the 21st century, birthworkers, such as doulas, continue to provide vital support to mothers while simultaneously addressing challenges faced by communities across America. 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 supportive 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 Speaker:  

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

Episode Host:   

• Shaquelle Ballou, a 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.  

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.

In our first episode of BirthWork, your AMCHP hosts and two maternal health experts help to break down some of the responsibilities of Maternal Mortality Review Committees (also known as MMRCs). MMRCs are tasked with reviewing maternal deaths in their jurisdiction, determining “pregnancy-relatedness”, which is a key step of the MMRC process, and proposing recommendations to improve birth experiences and outcomes within their states and/or cities. Listen to this episode to learn more about how MMRCs provide insight and recommendations on how to reduce maternal mortality in the U.S. while helping to rewrite the narrative and transform conversations surrounding “Birth Work” across America.     

Guest Speakers: 

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

Episode Hosts: 

• Shaquelle Ballou, a former Program Manager at AMCHP
• Kristina Wint, a former Program Manager at AMCHP

Resources: 

• Use our discussion guide for reflection and conversation. 
• Check out Dr. Aasta Mehta and her work with OVA here.  
• Learn more about Teneele Bruce and Baltimore Healthy Start here. 
• You can find more information on Maternal Mortality Review Committees and the CDC’s ERASE Maternal Mortality initiative here.   

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.