Episode 5
In the fifth episode of the Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast, we discuss the maternal and infant health impacts of family support and bonding following the birth of a child. Guests and topics include:
- Arkansas Sen. Missy Irvin discusses policy efforts to support new moms, including paid parental leave for state employees.
- Mary Kate Moore with Arvest Bank outlines the bank’s private-sector approach to paid parental leave and other benefits for new parents.
- Dr. Shannon Case, an OB-GYN with Johnson Regional Medical Center in Clarksville, explains the value of breastfeeding for both mom and baby.
- Cassie Cochran with the Arkansas Department of Health discusses breastfeeding support and other resources available to new moms through the state’s county health units.
Maternal and infant mortality rates in Arkansas are among the highest in the nation, but a wide range of efforts are underway to change that. Here at ACHI, we pulled our analysts and researchers together to envision what a healthy birthing journey should look like and identify points along the way where Arkansas has opportunities to make lasting improvements for our moms, children, families, and communities. We identified nine phases from pre-pregnancy through delivery and into the postpartum period. In this episode, we explore the fifth phase – family support and bonding.
View our infographic, “9 Points on a Healthy Birthing Journey.”
