Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This toolkit is for midwives, doulas, and other childbirth educators to introduce newborn screening into midwifery practices and into nontraditional settings including childbirth education classes. Brochures, videos, and other educational materials are provided for the states of New York, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Links to resources for national audiences are provided from the March of Dimes, the Health Services and Resources Administration, Genetic Alliance, and the Save Babies Through Screening Foundation. Materials are available in English and Spanish, with items from Pennsylvania available in Chinese, French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Russian.

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Keywords: Childbirth education, Educational materials, Genetic screening, Midwifery, Midwives, Neonatal screening, Newborn infants, Spanish language materials

Annotation: This booklet introduces expectant parents, doulas, childbirth educators, and clinical staff to TeamBirth, a collaborative approach that promotes patient involvement in pregnancy and childbirth decisions. It provides a structured format for communication between patients and their care team through regular "huddles" and a shared whiteboard system. The booklet includes sections on documenting pregnancy experiences, planning for different stages of labor and delivery, identifying preferences for pain management and birth support, and reflecting on the birth experience afterward. Practical tools include checklists for labor support options, discussion guides for admission and assisted delivery scenarios, and suggested questions to help patients advocate for themselves during the birth process. The booklet emphasizes that patients are essential members of the care team and encourages them to share their preferences, ask questions, and participate in decisions throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Available in both English and Spanish.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Collaboration, Labor, Patient education, Patient-centered care, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Annotation: The Birth Equity Action Map is an interactive mapping tool that describes urgent actions needed by specific system actors (i.e., birth equity partners) to improve birth and racial equity, and it highlights where the system funders can use their leverage to accelerate birth equity. The tool is designed to accelerate the work of communities, coalitions, and funders in strategically assessing their efforts, identifying opportunities, and committing to specific actions to strengthen the birth equity and early childhood ecosystem.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Childbirth, Health care disparities, Health care systems, Health equity, Interactive media, Maps, Maternal health, Perinatal care

Annotation: This collection of online tools is intended to accelerate the work of communities, coalitions, and funders in strategically assessing their efforts, identifying opportunities, and committing to actions aimed at assuring conditions that lead to optimal births for all people. The tools include: (1) The Birth Equity Action Map, which describes actions needed by specific birth equity partners to improve birth and racial equity; (2) the Birth Equity Ecosystem Map, which visualizes the factors and conditions needed to achieve equitable outcomes; and (3) the Birth Equity Iceberg, which offers insights on the barriers that perpetuate inequitable outcomes and limit efforts to advance birth equity.

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Keywords: Barriers, Childbirth, Health care systems, Health equity, Racism

Annotation: This resource for professionals provides actionable guidance that encourages collaboration across diverse sectors to address and improve inequities and maternal health outcomes. It provides examples of partnerships that leverage new ideas and resources, including innovative approaches to gathering and using data; highlights policies and practices that are improving the health and well-being of birthing people and children across the United States; and includes stories from birthing people and women about their pregnancy and childbirth experiences. Graphics and sample text for social media posts are also provided.

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Keywords: Prenatal care, Advocacy, Childbirth, Colllaboration, Community action, Data, Health equity, Maternal health, Models, Policy, Pregnancy, Resources for professionals

Annotation: Podcast host Christie Allen talks with Amy Romano, founder and CEO of Primary Maternity Care. Romano, a nurse midwife with an MBA, who shares her experience blending clinical expertise with system-level healthcare leadership to revolutionize maternity care in rural communities. They discuss the critical role of freestanding birth centers, their capacity to offer low-risk, community-based care, and how these centers could be a key part of the solution to the growing issue of maternity deserts. Romano also dives into the challenges of regulatory barriers, the importance of risk-appropriate care, and the unique quality improvement strategies needed for safe community births. From pandemic-driven innovations to rethinking the future of rural maternity care, this episode is packed with actionable insights for improving maternal health outcomes in underserved areas. It is part of the AIM for safer Birth podcast series that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

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Keywords: Birthing centers, Childbirth, Maternal health, Quality assurance, Risk factors, Rural health, Safety, Underserved communities

Annotation: This website describes the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, a new CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) initiative designed to improve maternal health care for women enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. The CMS site explains how the new model supports participating state Medicaid agencies in developing a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care that addresses physical, mental health, and social needs.It details the model's three main pillars: Access to care and workforce capacity, quality improvement and safety, and whole-person care delivery. The site includes a link to the 2024 CMS funding opportunity notice (NOFO) and identifies the 15 states selected to participate in the 10-year program that launched January 2025. It explains how the model aims to improve maternal outcomes while reducing health disparities and program expenditures and provides information about technical assistance for participating states to implement evidence-based protocols, develop health equity plans, and create alternative payment models for maternity care services. Links to related fact sheets, recorded webinars, and CMS service-delivery partners are also included.

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Keywords: Applications, Childbirth, Federal initiatives, Grants, Maternal health, Medicaid, Model programs, Postpartum care, Pregnancy, State programs

Annotation: This thesis presents a research study examining birthing people's experiences with the health care system during prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. The study used patient journey mapping, surveys, and interviews to capture experiences at multiple time points. Participants included six prenatal and four postpartum patients, with a focus on Black birthing people. Key findings revealed challenges with insurance access, getting questions answered between appointments, and a lack of racial concordance with health care workers. Participants also reported feeling unprepared for unexpected events, accepting care that did not align with their needs, and inconsistent mental health and intimate partner violence screenings. The thesis discusses implications for improving maternal care, such as offering low-cost services, implementing telehealth, ensuring universal screenings, and increasing workforce diversity.

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Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Blacks, Childbirth, Health care systems, Interviews, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Pregnant women, Prenatal care, Surveys, Toronto Canada

Annotation: This patient safety bundle was revised in 2023 to incorporate respectful care concepts, revise existing elements, include new elements related to evidence-informed practices, and update data collection plans. The bundle provides actionable steps to support labor and care processes that can be adapted to a variety of facilities and resource levels to improve quality of care and safely reduce cesarean births. Implementation details and resources, a data collection plan, an evidence-informed "change package," and learning modules are included on the website. Some materials are available in English, Spanish, and French.

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• Printable Patient Safety Bundle

Keywords: Cesarean section, Childbirth, Data collection, Measures, Obstetrical care, Prevention, Protocols, Quality improvement, Resources for professionals, Safety, Vaginal birth

Annotation: In this podcast episode, host Christie Allen and Dr. Gillispie-Bell discuss how acknowledging the need for change and understanding the difficulty of the journey are the starting points for positive transformation. With a focus on practical steps, they address how healthcare providers can engage with systems and structures already in place to promote equity. From engaging with quality departments and hospital teams to fostering a culture of transparency, they outline actionable strategies for both providers and institutions to create a future where safe and equitable births are the norm. This episode is part of the AIM for Better Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Health care reform, Health care systems, Health equity, Maternal health, Quality improvement

Annotation: This toolkit guides the development and implementation of community-based doula programming into clinical settings specifically to prevent maternal and infant mortality inequities in Black birthing families. The document describes the partnership Sistas Caring 4 Sistas, an established community-based doula program in Asheville, NC, and the UNC-affiliated Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), It presents a framework for collaboration between healthcare clinics and community-based doulas covering planning considerations, project work components including capacity building and clinical shift implementation, and policy change initiatives. The toolkit includes evaluation methods, lessons learned, and recommendations for getting started with such partnerships. It emphasizes the importance of organizational leadership support, mutual respect, and adequate administrative infrastructure for healthcare institutions seeking to partner with community-based doula organizations.

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Keywords: Blacks, Childbirth, Community coordination, Community health services, Doulas, Health inequities, Local initiatives, Program development

Annotation: This toolkit to support vaginal birth and reduce primary cesarean sections includes evidence-based tools and resources to support pregnant patients who transfer to the hospital from a community birth center and to effectively integrate midwifery care and doula support into the hospital setting. The toolkit serves as a “how to” guide to help educate and motivate maternity clinicians to apply best practices to support vaginal birth. Included are strategies to (1) improve the culture of care, awareness, and education for cesarean reduction; (2) support intended Vaginal Birth; (3) manage labor abnormalities and safely reduce cesarean births; and (4) use data to drive reduction in cesareans. Twenty appendices include checklists, guidelines, partograms, performance measures, and assessment tools for healthcare providers.

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Keywords: Birthing Centers, California , Cesarean section, Childbirth, Doulas, Hospitals Quality assurance, Labor, Midwives, Model programs, Pregnant women, Prevention, Vaginal birth

Annotation: This recorded webinar provides background information on the global maternal mortlaity crisis and highlights opportunities for birth workers to intervene and alleviate the crisis. Guest presenters from international maternal and child health organizations give an overview of their practice to support pregnant and birthing people, and prevent maternal deaths. Special guests: Andrew Herrera, MPH, MBA, Executive Director of Curamericas; Mario Rodriguez Valdez Ramirez, Executive Director of Casa Maternas, Guatemala; Juany Valdez, Head Nurse of Casa Maternas, Guatemala; Nick Pearson, Founder and Co-Executive Director of Jacranda Health; Chanel Porchia-Albert, Founder of Ancient Song Doula Services.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Community health workers, Doulas, International health, Maternal mortality, Midwifery, Pregnancy, Prevention, Social support

Annotation: This website explains how Cesarian sections can saves lives, but the risk of infection and blood clots argue against C-sections in low-risk pregnancies. The site contains data on Cesarian section births among low-risk pregnant women with no prior births. Charts and tables with data from 2018 to 2021, along with the data methodology and links to evidence-based resources, show that the rates of this kind of C-section are increasing despite efforts to lower the numbers.

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Keywords: Cesarean section, Childbirth, Low risk pregnancy

Annotation: This manuscript presents findings from a literature review examining the implementation of community health workers (CHWs) to improve birth outcomes among Black and Latina women who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The document analyzes how nurse-trained CHWs can decrease healthcare costs and improve maternal-child health outcomes through education and support services. It outlines evidence that CHWs help reduce preterm births and low birth weight infants, particularly through home visits and culturally appropriate care. The review includes systematic reviews, qualitative research studies, prospective cohort studies, and longitudinal analyses published between 2017-2022, focusing on populations experiencing low income and poor birth outcomes.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Community health workers, Cultural competence, High risk groups, Literature reviews, Low birthweight, MCH Services, Preterm birth, Prevention, Vulnerability

Annotation: This report presents findings from a qualitative exploratory research study on Black women's and birth workers' experiences of disrespect and abuse in maternity care in Atlanta. The study, conducted in 2018 by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the Averting Maternal Death and Disability program at Columbia University, examines how racism and discrimination impact Black women's childbirth experiences. Through focus group discussions with Black women and birth support workers, the research identifies five key themes of mistreatment: harsh language, ineffective communication, lack of informed consent and confidentiality, dismissal of concerns and pain, and racism and discrimination. Women reported feeling devalued, dismissed, and experiencing heightened anxiety about potential negative outcomes. The report emphasizes that these experiences stem from systemic racism in healthcare and calls for recognition of racism as a modifiable risk factor for poor maternal health outcomes for Black women, who are 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

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Keywords: Blacks, Childbirth, Focus groups, Maternal health, Qualitative evaluation, Racial discrimination, Racism

Annotation: This fact sheet outlines strategies for incorporating community-based doulas into Medicaid to improve maternal health outcomes. It describes how doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy and can help reduce high-risk pregnancies, low birthweight babies, and cesarean section rates, particularly benefiting communities with high maternal mortality rates. The document presents three key strategies for state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations to support doulas in becoming Medicaid providers: engaging doulas in benefit design and implementation, allowing diverse doula training organizations to meet community needs, and simplifying the Medicaid enrollment process. Examples from states like Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia illustrate successful approaches such as creating advisory groups, hosting stakeholder meetings, accepting both national and BIPOC-led training organizations, and providing enrollment guidance. The resource emphasizes the importance of a diverse workforce that meets the needs of birthing individuals.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Community health services, Doulas, Financing, Health insurance, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Prevention, State initiatives

Annotation: This webinar recording from June 2022 by the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Global Health Workgroup addresses the global maternal mortality crisis and highlights how birthworkers can help alleviate it. It features presentations from international maternal and child health organizations, including Curamericas, Casa Maternas in Guatemala, Jacranda Health, and Ancient Song Doula Services, with guest speakers sharing overviews of their practices supporting pregnant and birthing people and preventing maternal deaths. The webinar covers topics related to equity and anti-racism, global health, maternal and infant health, and workforce development.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Doulas, Maternal mortality, Prevention, Social support

Annotation: This report addresses the severe maternal health crisis in the United States, noting that increasing rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black, and other Communities of color and people with low incomes. The document promotes doula support as an effective model to improve care quality and outcomes. It presents evidence that continuous support by doulas during childbirth is associated with benefits such as increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth and fewer cesarean births, while the extended model (including prenatal and postpartum support) is linked to reduced preterm birth, low birthweight, and improved breastfeeding outcomes. The report discusses different models, including private-pay and longitudinal community-based doula support, emphasizing the importance of culturally congruent, trauma-informed care within a birth justice framework. Major topics covered include barriers to access, such as insufficient Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement and inadequate compensation for doulas, as well as the implications of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The document features detailed recommendations for federal and state policymakers and private-sector decisionmakers on covering doula services and supporting the workforce, and includes a comprehensive Resource directory

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Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Childbirth, Doulas, Health equity, Maternal health, Models, Policy development

Annotation: This issue brief reviews the evidence for new maternity care models and discusses how policy makers, payers, providers, and health care systems can help to advance effective models that will improve maternal health outcomes and promote health equity.

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Keywords: Childbirth, Community programs, Community services, Health equity, Maternal health, Minority health, Models, Perinatal care