maternal health

Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Doula Support

REPORT | This report outlines the evidence that supports the unique value of doula support across different communities, the safety and effectiveness of doula support in improving maternal and infant outcomes, the interest of birthing women and people in use of doula...

Recommendations to Increase Access to Doula Support

RECOMMENDATIONS | There is a strong evidence base to support including doula services in the standard package of essential maternity care services available to all pregnant, birthing, and parenting women and people. Culturally congruent doulas appear to offer...

Spotlight on Success: Tewa Women United

CASE STUDY | Tewa Women United (TWU) is a multicultural and multiracial, Indigenous/Tewa-women-created and -led organization located in the ancestral Tewa homelands of northern New Mexico. TWU embodies courageous spaces that center Indigenous women and girls to...

Spotlight on Success: Open Arms Perinatal Services

CASE STUDY | Open Arms Perinatal Services illustrates how community doulas who provide extended support from pregnancy through the postpartum and early childhood periods can dramatically improve the health of childbearing women and people and their babies. Open Arms...

Spotlight on Success: Roots Community Birth Center

CASE STUDY | The Roots Community Birth Center demonstrates the exceptional value of community-based and -led forms of the birth center model for communities disadvantaged by structural racism, intergenerational underinvestment, and other forms of discrimination.

Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Midwifery

REPORT | This report outlines the evidence that supports midwifery’s unique value across different communities, the safety and effectiveness of midwifery care in improving maternal and infant outcomes, the interest of birthing people in midwifery care, and the current...

Spotlight on Success: Mercy Birthing Center

CASE STUDY | The Mercy Birthing Center illustrates the potential of a flourishing midwifery-led unit within a hospital. The center is a separate unit operated by CNMs within Mercy Hospital St. Louis. It was established in response to women’s growing interests in...

Recommendations to Increase Access to Midwifery Care

RECOMMENDATIONS | Midwives have a distinctive, dignifying, person-centered, skilled model of care and an exemplary track record. They are an important part of the solution to the nation’s need for a higher-performing maternity care system and shortage of maternity...

Executive Summary: Improving Maternity Care Through Midwifery

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | Research shows that midwifery care provides equal or better care and outcomes compared to physician care on many key indicators, including higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, higher rates of breastfeeding, higher birthing person satisfaction...