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Ten Thousand Births and Counting

‪@midwifecenter‬ Today’s episode is a special one. Here in Pittsburgh, there’s an organization quietly transforming maternal and infant health — one family at a time. Since opening its doors in 1982, The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health has supported nearly 10,000 births. For more than four decades, The Midwife Center has championed personalized, relationship-based care that improves outcomes for parents and babies while expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based midwifery services. Today, we’re celebrating this milestone, reflecting on the journey to 10,000 births, and talking about why this moment matters — not just for The Midwife Center, but for the future of maternal and infant health in our region and beyond. Emily McGahey, Clinical Director at The Midwife Center, joins me for this important conversation. Why 10,000 Births Matters Reaching 10,000 births is more than a statistic. It represents generations of families who chose a model of care rooted in trust, informed consent, and partnership. In a country where maternal mortality remains unacceptably high — particularly for Black mothers — community-based midwifery care offers a different path forward. Research consistently shows that midwifery-led care is associated with fewer interventions, lower cesarean rates, high patient satisfaction, and strong outcomes for low-risk pregnancies. But beyond the data is something harder to measure: dignity. Families cared for at The Midwife Center aren’t rushed through appointments or treated like numbers in a system. They build relationships with providers. They are heard. Their questions are welcomed. Their choices are respected. Across the United States, maternity wards are closing — particularly in rural and underserved communities. Reproductive healthcare faces growing political hostility. Access to prenatal and postpartum care remains deeply unequal. And the U.S. continues to lag behind other developed countries in maternal health outcomes. We do not have universal healthcare. We do not have guaranteed paid leave. Postpartum care is often fragmented or insufficient. Too many families are left navigating pregnancy and new parenthood without the structural support they need. And when maternal health is missing from community care, the ripple effects are profound: Higher rates of preterm birth. Increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Greater mental health strain. Long-term impacts on family stability. Black maternal health disparities remain especially urgent. Black women in the U.S. are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, regardless of income or education. Community-rooted, culturally responsive care models like midwifery are an essential part of addressing these inequities. This is why 10,000 births isn’t just a celebration — it’s a statement. Midwife care is here to stay. As the Center approaches its 10,000th birth, there are opportunities for people to get involved: supporting fundraising efforts, advocating for policy change, spreading awareness about midwifery care, and simply having conversations about what safe, respectful maternity care should look like. The future of midwifery care holds promise — but also urgency. As we fall behind peer nations in postpartum support and universal access to care, community-based models will only become more essential. Expanding postpartum services, integrating mental health care, advocating for paid family leave, and pushing for equitable insurance coverage are all part of what comes next. When maternal health is strong, communities are stronger. Babies are healthier. Families are more stable. And generations benefit. 10,000 births is a milestone worth celebrating. But it’s also a reminder: the work isn’t done. Want to support the work of the Midwife Center and help them raise $10,000 in honor of the 10,000th birth? I just donated $25.00…want to join me? Let’s help improve the lives of our neighbors. Give now: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfec... FOLLOW NATALIE substack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearna... instagram:   / @nataliebencivenga   tiktok:   / nataliebencivenga   threads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebenci... podcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9... podcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... FACTS OVER FEAR Let's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts. ABOUT NATALIE Natalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.