Quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves the information they need to exercise their rights and get the care they need.
Choices in Childbirth was designed to educate people about their pregnancy and birth options, help them take an active role in their maternity care, and to remind them that they are not alone during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
As part of a year-long community-centered process led by Every Mother Counts, Choices in Childbirth brought together national leaders and community stakeholders to build a program that is inclusive, engaging, trustworthy, and designed to help people navigate to the care that is right for them.
The wisdom and expertise that went into this series include: the education and activation team at Primary Maternity Care; clinical and program leaders at CVS Health; a production team at Critical Mass; a measurement and evaluation team at Mathematica; and a national Working Group and Advisory Committee to provide guidance and feedback each step of the way. With these collaborators, Every Mother Counts is thrilled to launch this new resource to help every person navigate their way towards high-quality, respectful care.
As part of our participatory approach, the Choices in Childbirth Working Group, consisting of leaders and experts in doula support, midwifery, and childbirth education, was convened from April through December 2021 to help develop the Film library. The Working Group co-created the learning agenda by identifying relevant topics that address the multi-faceted needs and experiences of pregnant people, particularly pregnant people of color.
For more input from a broader range of stakeholders, an Advisory Committee was assembled to further refine the content, improve accessibility, and provide feedback as the Films and Resources took shape.
This group is made up of experts including midwives, OBGYNs, family physicians, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups.
With strict health precautions in place over several months, The Choices in Childbirth production team traveled the country filming essential conversations between doulas, midwives, doctors, educators, lactation consultants and parents and families.
In each location, we partnered with community-based organizations and providers to identify individuals who would be comfortable participating, and to explore topics ranging from prenatal care to cesarean birth to the emotional wellbeing of parents and families.
In addition to invaluable guidance on the content by the Working and Advisory Groups, the films feature experts and providers from a wide range of communities on camera. Sincere thanks to these groups for their time, energy and willingness to share their wisdom and insight.
Every Mother Counts is grateful to all of the collaborators, partners, participants and production crew members who brought this series to life. And, Every Mother Counts extends its sincere gratitude to CVS Health for helping fund this initiative.
Learn more about our work here.