Episode 2
In the second episode of the Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast, we explore the importance of beginning prenatal care early in a pregnancy and speak with healthcare leaders working to remove barriers, increase access, and improve outcomes for Arkansas moms and their babies. Guests and topics include:
- Arkansas Rep. Aaron Pilkington discusses how presumptive Medicaid eligibility can remove barriers to initiating prenatal care.
- Dr. Nirvana Manning of the Arkansas Center for Women and Infants’ Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences highlights how the state came together to improve maternal health.
- Emily McGee of St. Bernards Healthcare describes how St. Bernards is expanding access to prenatal care in Northeast Arkansas.
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 second phase – the initiation of prenatal care.
View our infographic, “9 Points on a Healthy Birthing Journey.”
