“A Good Birth, A Safe Birth”: The Role of Maternal Health Providers in Constructing Birth Safety in the United States

MommyMatters

What a pleasure to discuss this critical topic with the brilliant Turquoise Brewington!

A little about Turquoise:

Turquoise Brewington is a recent graduate from Princeton University where she majored in the School of Public and International Affairs with certificates in African American Studies and Spanish. Her academic research was focused on improving maternal health outcomes and combating racial disparities particularly through perinatal workforce policy initiatives. Turquoise is currently a Maternal and Infant Health Intern with the Burke Foundation where she supports transformative investments to bolster and diversify the midwifery and doula professions. In the future, Turquoise plans to continue work in maternal health at the intersection of business, technology, and policy upon completing an MBA/MPH in the near future.

In the current social and political climate around birth equity and maternal and child health many groups are looking for a solution and the research/data behind it may seem boring but is essential to the sustained progress. Mommy Matters is personal, communal and political. In this episode we discuss the following questions at length:

• Definition of maternal mortality?
• In your research you state that there has been much turning to doulas to make birth "more safe" why is that? What are the pros and cons of this?
• What is the historical connection between midwives and OBGYN's in the construction of birth safety in the USA?
• Why the focus on NJ, NC and Washington in your research. What is unique about these states and what is happening in NJ specifically that you found interesting?
• What are the primary similarities/differences between the obstetric and midwifery models as they relate to birth safety?
• What are Medicaid restrictions for low income birthing options and the doctors that desire to serve them and the connection to maternal health outcomes?
• What is the difference between CM's(Certified Midwives), CPM's(Certified professional Midwives) and CNM's(Certified Nurse Midwife)?

Just to name a few. As parents being able to advocate for the needs of families is critical. This episode shares some ways to make this possible. While also teaching about birth options.

Please leave your thoughts! I look forward to hearing from you!

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