Birthing Archives

03.18.2026 Close up of Black woman holding her pregnant belly

Black Mothers, Broken System: The Maternal Mortality Gap

Structural forces like bias, unequal access to resources, and cumulative stress interact to shape pregnancy outcomes for Black women.

Fellow Bernadette Carter-Salmond

02.25.2026 Slow Motion Flowing Water and Water Droplets and Close-up Tap

How Faulty Faucets Harm Fetal Health

Even trace amounts of arsenic present in drinking water can have measurable and unequal effects on infant health.

Fellow Mallika Chimpiri

12.01.2025 Close up of a pregnant woman sitting during medical examination with female doctor holding stethoscope near belly, focusing on prenatal health care and pregnancy monitoring

Close up of a pregnant woman sitting during medical examination with female doctor holding stethoscope near belly, focusing on prenatal health care and pregnancy monitoring

Most Rural Hospitals in the U.S. No Longer Deliver Babies

In 2010, 57% of rural hospitals offered obstetric services. By 2022, over half of rural hospitals no longer had labor and delivery care.

Fellow Rowena Lindsay

11.12.2025 A young mother holds a small newborn baby in her arms, gently hugging and kissing him at home in a bright room

The Mama Sana Program: Spanish-Language Lactation Support

Offering culturally aware support in the mother's preferred language can improve early breastfeeding outcomes.

Guest Author Nikita Kalluri

08.29.2025 portrait of a young family walking on tree-lined street

Greener Streets, Healthier Beginnings

Planting trees in proximity to pregnant people’s homes is associated with improved birth outcomes, including higher birthweight.

Fellow Aidan Stotz

02.11.2025 Pregnant Woman Receiving Prenatal Check-Up by Doctor

The Hidden Inequity in Emergency C-Sections

Among low-risk pregnant mothers, Black mothers were 149% more likely than White mothers to undergo an unscheduled C-section.

Fellow Jude Sleiman

05.14.2024

The Weight of Women’s Health Insurance

Insurance status is deeply connected to birth weight, with uninsured pregnant women more likely to have a low-birth-weight birth.

Fellow Heather Sherr

08.28.2023 edited headshot of Ann Peralta

Ann Peralta

Ann Peralta, founder of Partner to Decide, discusses her birthing equity tool, which helps pregnant people make informed decisions about induction of labor.

Fellow Sean Hagan

07.06.2023 close up image of pregnant woman's growing baby bump

Birthing Centers, Medicaid, and the Strong Start Initiative

Birthing centers have shown beneficial results for the health of both birthing persons and their babies, regardless of insurance type.

Guest Author Hannah Krause

body.tag .page-numbers { pointer-events: auto; }