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A podcast that explores high rates of maternal mortality in the United States. Through conversations with healthcare professionals, doulas, mothers, and advocates, the hosts hope to examine the systemic issues and challenges that contribute to maternal mortality and disparities in healthcare. Intending to spread awareness and educate on the complexities of this issue, each episode delves into personal stories and expert insights. Relevant topics are explored, ranging from the importance of advocacy, informed decision-making, and emotional support for mothers. The podcast aims to inspire the urgent need for better maternal care and empower women to have birth autonomy.
Episode 1: Ifat Kent: The Vital Role of Doulas in Advocating for Mothers
On this episode of Who cares for Mom? host, Chloe Barnett has an in-depth conversation with a professional pregnancy and postpartum doula with over 12 years of experience. Ifat Kent discusses her role as a doula providing emotional, physical, and educational support while empowering mothers to make informed decisions.
Kent emphasizes how doulas advocate for birthing persons in medical systems by encouraging asking the right questions and understanding their rights regarding consent and interventions. She addresses the systemic issues that contribute to maternal mortality in the U.S., including biases related to race, gender, and language. The conversation also touches on how Kent champions mothers in a healthcare system that is driven by profit.
Her professional insights demonstrate how doulas help prevent complications and enhance maternal well-being. Kent ensures through her practice that mothers and birthing persons are heard and supported throughout the pregnancy and postpartum process. The episode sheds light on how essential doulas can be for mothers, and how beneficial it is for programs and insurance companies to support access to these services.
Episode 2: Rokeshia Ashley: Uncovering Systemic Issues Behind Maternal Mortality
On this episode of Who cares for Mom? researcher, educator, and author Dr.Rokeshia Ashley shares her experience with a high-risk pregnancy and maternal morbidity and how it led her to researching Black Maternal Health. Through her research, she discovered that Black women face higher maternal mortality rates compared to their white counterparts. Ashley explains how these disparities exist regardless of wealth or education level and are largely due to systemic issues in healthcare.
She emphasizes the important work of organizations like the Southern Birth Justice Network and the Magnolia Birthing House in advocating for birth justice. These organizations provide support and personal care that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of birthing persons. This care differs from the rigid policies imposed by mainstream healthcare institutions that limit autonomy which leads to negative experiences and disparities in maternal health.
Ashley also discussed the legislative barriers that restrict midwives from participating in hospital births and the lack of insurance coverage for midwife and doula services. Despite these challenges, Black-women-led organizations continue advocating for systemic change and working towards expanding the workforce of culturally competent doulas and midwives.
The episode concludes by emphasizing the efforts of the Black Mothers Care Plan of South Florida to reduce mortality and morbidity rates among pregnant and postpartum Black women in Miami-Dade County. She discusses the program’s support for Black birthing people through collaborations with healthcare professionals to provide educational workshops and resources in multiple languages. The program navigates political and policy challenges while making an impact on Black maternal health and continuing to grow in funding.
