Dr Almas Malik’s Post

The Power of Presence: Birth Companions in Delivery Rooms As a consultant gynecologist, I have witnessed firsthand how the presence of a birth companion can profoundly impact the delivery experience. Whether it’s a partner, friend, or family member, having a trusted companion during labor provides emotional support, reduces anxiety, and empowers women to feel more confident throughout childbirth. Research consistently shows that continuous support from a birth companion can lead to better birth outcomes, including reduced rates of medical interventions, shorter labor durations, and higher maternal satisfaction. A calm, comforting presence can make all the difference in a time of vulnerability. At the heart of patient-centered care is the recognition that childbirth is not just a medical event but a deeply personal and emotional experience. Let’s continue to advocate for policies and practices that allow for birth companions to be present in every delivery room, ensuring that women feel supported every step of the way. #BirthCompanion #MaternalHealth #Obstetrics #WomenEmpowerment #PatientCare

The homebirth movement is often misunderstood and its origins overlooked, particularly the fact that it emerged as a direct response to experiences of obstetric violence. These traumatic encounters within hospital settings have led many women to explore alternative birthing options. Women who advocate for and choose homebirths are frequently mischaracterised as irrational or as rejecting Western medicine outright. However, this stereotype misses the broader narrative. The majority of these women are not driven by a disdain for medical advancements, but rather by a desire for a more personal, respectful birthing experience after having endured distressing or disempowering scenarios in hospitals. By making informed choices about their birthing environment, these women are advocating for their right to a birth experience that prioritises safety, dignity, and respect. They seek to reclaim childbirth as a natural, empowering journey rather than a clinical procedure. As we continue this dialogue, it's crucial to listen to and support these voices, recognising the broader implications for transforming maternal health and improving birth care across all settings.

• “A woman, as long as she lives, will remember how she was made to feel at her birth.” Anna Verwaal I have some exciting news to share! New services: - Emotional, physical and educational support before, during and after birth. - Home prenatal and postpartum visits - Attendance at your birth - Birth plan review and preparation - Practicing labour support techniques including positioning - FREE birth class for you and your partner #freebirthclass #doulasupport #birthsupport #postpartumphysicaltherapy

Fear should never be part of the childbirth experience. Unfortunately, many Black women express deep fears about maternal health. @Dr. Juan Michelle Martin, PT, DPT during our Bridging the Gap webinar revealed that some Black women she works with tell her: “I’m getting a doula because I don’t want to die.” This heartbreaking reality highlights the urgent need for better maternal care and doula support. Doulas help mitigate this fear by providing continuous emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy and birth, empowering women to feel safe and supported. As Dr. Martin shared, doulas are often the only advocates some women have during birth, helping to improve outcomes and reduce the need for unnecessary medical interventions, such as cesarean sections. 💡 Help us empower women with the care they deserve. Support our mission to provide education and access to maternal health services: buff.ly/3C0kJ2o Join us for our next Bridging The Gap session tomorrow with @Bridget Ochuko, PT, DPT, MPH as she discusses the accessibility of PFPT from her perspective as a recent graduate. When you register, you'll get access to our last two sessions live and recordings of our previous sessions. Register --> https://buff.ly/4d7ZJ6D #BlackMaternalHealth #DoulaCare #WomensHealth #BridgingTheGap #MaternalHealthEquity

Prenatal leave leads to healthier and safer births. When Black women are most at risk of maternal death, and post-delivery complications, access to prenatal leave shifts from a nice-to-have to an equitable need for mothers of color. Birthing mothers with access to at least 2 weeks of prenatal leave are at a lower risk for complications. On average, prenatal leave leads to: ✅ an 80% lower risk of c-sections ✅ an 67% lower risk of pre-term births ✅ reduction in postpartum anxiety and depression Did you know that Parento's program allows for prenatal leave? When an employer offers Parento, birthing moms can access up to 2 weeks of paid pre-natal leave. This is our commitment to moms, and especially Black moms, as we do our part to reduce the #BlackMaternalHealthCrisis. Schedule time to see how our program can further your commitment to mothers: https://lnkd.in/ecg5U8HR #parento #prenatalleave #parentalleave #maternalhealth

In the next two minutes Nine newborn babies and a mom die in childbirth. We can do better: Births in institutions with basic emergency obstetric and newborn care + family planning cost $3.7 billion per year and have the potential to save 161,000 moms + 1.2 million infants every year. Each $1 spent delivers $87 in social benefits. New, peer-reviewed #SDGs research for Copenhagen Consensus Center published by Cambridge University Press https://lnkd.in/dKmdVtmU

It's encouraging to see the media highlighting important research on post-birth care. Addressing issues related to maternal well-being is crucial, and we must continue these conversations to better support new mothers. For more information go to : www.mummymot.com #MaternalHealth #PostpartumCare #Research #SupportMoms

In the next two minutes Nine newborn babies and a mom die in childbirth. We can do better: Births in institutions with basic emergency obstetric and newborn care + family planning cost $3.7 billion per year and have the potential to save 161,000 moms + 1.2 million infants every year. Each $1 spent delivers $87 in social benefits. New, peer-reviewed #SDGs research for Copenhagen Consensus Center published by Cambridge University Press https://lnkd.in/daM3ZsBW

New research from the Australian Birth Experience Study (BESt) highlights that over 85% of women would make different choices if they were to have another baby. Key insights from over 6,100 women reveal: 🔹 Self-Advocacy: 39% would prioritize advocating for their birth preferences. 🔹 Specific Birth Experience: 28% desire a specific type of birth (e.g., vaginal over cesarean). 🔹 Continuity of Care: 18% value continuous care from a midwife for better outcomes. 🔹 Access Barriers: Some face challenges in accessing their ideal care due to geographical or financial constraints. This study underscores the need for better education, access, and empowerment in maternity care. As healthcare professionals, we must listen and adapt to the evolving needs of mothers. #MaternityCare #WomensHealth #BirthExperience #HealthcareInnovation #Obstetrics

Women of color are dying from preventable causes while giving childbirth. If this happened to your sister, mother, or daughter, you can help other families by sharing the story of your loved one. The Morehouse School of Medicine Center for Maternal Birth Equity is conducting the Legacy Study to understand why this happening. Would you provide an interview? Scan the QR code to participate. #maternalmortality, #maternalmortalityreview, #birthequity, #doulas, #HearHer, #HealthyStart, #HealthyMothersHealthyBabies, #PerinatalCollaboratives