Current Events: Structural Racism and Maternal Morbidity
Once a month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we look at a study conducted to quantify the rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) based on the intersection of race/ethnicity and insurance status to see how they may impact structural racism. Keep reading for more …
Three Things to Keep Your Sanity During COVID
COVID has impacted this country beyond words and shaken our infrastructure to its core. It’s made us question many things, asked us to reprioritize, and placed heavier demands on everyone. It’s easy to see how a substantial amount of this new burden is falling on women and mothers. Many women …
Top 4 Warning Signs for PMADs (Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Anxiety Disorders)
In the past ten years of working with clients during the motherhood transition, we have had the honor of supporting people through many highs and lows. We’ve had the opportunity to observe many warning signs for PMADs early on so that we could ensure support. The motherhood transition can be …
Black Doulas Matter: Why Minority Representation Matters in Birth Work
Historical Context Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane”(9). The relationship between Black women and healthcare has been strained for centuries. History tells us that physicians were the hired guns of slave owners. Physicians …
Current Events in Maternal Health Care: October 2020
Once a month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we look at a qualitative study of the experiences of Black women and the intersection of race, gender, and pregnancy. Keep reading for more details! Black Pregnant Women “Get the Most Judgment”: A Qualitative Study …
Eight Things to Consider During a Twin Pregnancy
One sentiment I often hear from other moms before or after their first ultrasound is, “Oh my gosh! What if I’m having twins?” I have twins myself, so I’m not sure if I hear this regularly because they want my opinion on what it would be like, or if there …
Adding Sit-Ups Back Into Your Postpartum Workout
Here at BIRTHFIT, we are generally “Team No Sit-Up” during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. If you want to know why we take this stance check out this Instagram post. But what happens after that first year of postpartum? As much as we are #teamnositup, we are also “Team …
Morning Sickness Mindset
Morning sickness can make it difficult to maintain a positive mindset. “Morning” sickness can actually be evening sickness, or all day sickness, and for many women, it doesn’t end at 12 weeks. Here’s my experience flipping the script when pregnancy sickness takes over. As I write this, I’m six weeks …
Current Events in Maternal Health Care: July 2020
Once per month we discuss current events in maternal health care. In this installment, we are discussing work that is taking place right now on the subjects of reproductive justice and maternal infections. Take a closer look at these topics in the blog posts below: A recent blog from …
Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery
There is a common misconception that you cannot breastfeed following breast reduction surgery, so I am here to share my alternative experience. Let me start by sharing why I decided to undergo this surgical procedure, even though I knew how important breastfeeding would be to me. When I was in …