There is no biological experience more fundamental than birth. However, the ongoing conversation in the U.S. between medical doctors, natural-birth practitioners, researchers, and birthing people about what could and should be a safe and positive birth experience has remained controversial.  For some, having a doula is a complementary method of pre and postnatal care that is being more frequently tapped into. To understand more about what doulas do and their importance in the birthing experience, we’ve had conversations with several guests to learn more about their experiences in the field, and hear their perspectives on the current state of birthing in the U.S. Check out the mini-episodes below to learn their perspectives.

OUR GUESTS:
Adina Marx Arpadi is a doula and member of the New Orleans based Birthmark Doula Collective. Adina talked to us about how doula care can be made accessible to people across backgrounds.

Janel Coleman is a New York based youth health educator and certified birth and post-partum doula.

Sofia Cleary is a performance artist and doula based in LA. She spoke with us about why she decided to become a doula, and how she navigates the thorny politics of medical industry in the hospital setting. 

Professor Dana Ain Davis is a cultural anthropologist and Director of the Center for the Study of Women and Society at the CUNY Graduate Center. We had the chance to speak with her about her latest book, "Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy, and Premature Birth,"  a study of the role that medical racism plays in the lives of black women who have given birth to premature and low birth weight infants.

Episode 19: Four Doulas on Birthing in the U.S.

There is no biological experience more fundamental than birth. However, the ongoing conversation in the US between medical doctors, natural-birth practitioners, researchers, and mothers about what could and should be a safe and positive birth experience has remained extraordinarily controversial.  For some, midwifery & doula care are complementary methods of maternal care that are being more frequently tapped into. To understand more about these forms of care, we’ve had conversations with several guests, to learn more about their experiences in the field, and their perspectives on the current state of birthing in the U.S. Check out the mini-episodes below to learn their perspectives.

Professor Dana Ain-Davis, Anthropologist & Doula - New York, NY

Sophia Cleary, Performance Artist & Doula - Los Angeles, CA

Janel Coleman, Youth Health Educator & Doula - New York, NY

There is no biological experience more fundamental than birth. However, the ongoing conversation in the US between medical doctors, natural-birth practitioners, researchers, and birthing people about what could and should be a safe and positive birth experience has remained extraordinarily controversial.  For some, doula care are complementary methods of maternal care that are being more frequently tapped into. To understand more about these forms of care, we’ve had conversations with several guests, to learn more about their experiences in the field, and their perspectives on the current state of birthing in the U.S. Check out the mini-episodes below to learn their perspectives.

Adina Marx-Arpadi, Birthmark Doula Collective - New Orleans, LA

Introduction

Top Rank is a process-oriented research platform, founded in 2015, that highlights people whose work is challenging and shaping our perceptions of contemporary culture. 

Co-hosted by Isabel Attyah Flower and Marcel Rosa-Salas

Professor Dana Ain-Davis, Anthropologist & Doula - New York, NY

Top Rank Podcast