In our first episode of BirthWork, your AMCHP hosts and two maternal health experts help to break down some of the responsibilities of Maternal Mortality Review Committees (also known as MMRCs). MMRCs are tasked with reviewing maternal deaths in their jurisdiction, determining “pregnancy-relatedness”, which is a key step of the MMRC process, and proposing recommendations to improve birth experiences and outcomes within their states and/or cities. Listen to this episode to learn more about how MMRCs provide insight and recommendations on how to reduce maternal mortality in the U.S. while helping to rewrite the narrative and transform conversations surrounding “Birth Work” across America.

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Aasta Mehta is an OB/GYN and the Medical Officer of Women’s Health at the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health.
• Teneele Bruce is a biologist and doula, and is serving as the Pathways Project Director at Baltimore Healthy Start.

Episode Hosts:

• Shaquelle Ballou, a former Program Manager at AMCHP
• Kristina Wint, a former Program Manager at AMCHP

Resources:

• Use our discussion guide for reflection and conversation.
• Check out Dr. Aasta Mehta and her work with OVA here.
• Learn more about Teneele Bruce and Baltimore Healthy Start here.
• You can find more information on Maternal Mortality Review Committees and the CDC’s ERASE Maternal Mortality initiative here.

• Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.