About birthincolor

birthincolor is a virtual learning miniseries created by the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. This project is supported by funding from the DeBartolo Family Foundation and HealtheVoice Impact Fun | Johnson & Johnson.

More Information

Learn More: ⁠⁠Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative⁠⁠

Support Our Work: ⁠⁠Donate to the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative

Episode Overview

Ashley Walker President of the Tampa By Breastfeeding Taskforce, and Dr. Angela Hill, join us for another special edition episode of birthincolor in honor Women's History Month which explores an critical period of the perinatal journey: the Fourth Trimester.

The postpartum period, also referred to as the “fourth trimester”, is an essential yet often overlooked part of the birthing and motherhood experience. In this discussion, we will dive into the postpartum experience in Black maternal health, including breastfeeding, mental health, pain management, and more.

About birthincolor

birthincolor is a virtual learning miniseries created by the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. This project is supported by funding from the DeBartolo Family Foundation and HealtheVoice Impact Fun | Johnson & Johnson.

Referenced Literature

Alimi, R., Azmoude, E., Moradi, M., & Zamani, M. (2022). The association of breastfeeding with a reduced risk of postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(4), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0183

Badreldin, N., Grobman, W. A., & Yee, L. M. (2019). Racial disparities in postpartum pain management. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 134(6), 1147-1153. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003561

Bossick, A. S., Bossick, N. R., Callegari, L. S., Carey, C. M., Johnson, H., & Katon, J. G. (2022). Experiences of racism and postpartum depression symptoms, care-seeking, and diagnosis. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 25(4), 717-727. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-022-01232-w

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 28). Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding initiation ─ United States, 2019.https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7021a1.htm

Phillips, S. E., Celi, A. C., Wehbe, A., Kaduthodil, J., & Zera, C. A. (2023). Mobilizing the fourth trimester to improve population health: interventions for postpartum transitions of care. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 229(1), 33-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2022.12.309

Recommended Citation

Dugat, V. (Host), Peoples, Z., (Co-Host), Hill, A. (Guest) & Walker, A. (Guest). (2025, March 28). The 4th Trimester (Ep. 5) [Audio podcast episode]. ⁠⁠In birthincolor. ⁠⁠DJ Brightlight Productions.

More Information

Learn More: ⁠⁠Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative⁠⁠

Support Our Work: ⁠⁠Donate to the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative

Episode Overview

Courtney Julien of the Tampa Bay Midwives, and Alyssa Bedard, join us for another special edition episode of birthincolor in honor and celebration of Black Midwives Day and Women's History Month.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the association between improved maternal health outcomes and midwifery and doula care. strategies we can employ to expand the birth worker workforce and improve Black maternal health by empowering and increasing access to doulas and midwives.

About birthincolor

birthincolor is a virtual learning miniseries created by the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. This project is supported by funding from the DeBartolo Family Foundation and HealtheVoice Impact Fun | Johnson & Johnson.

Referenced Literature

Hoyert, D. L. (2025). Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2023. NCHS Health E-Stats, 289.

Kathawa, C. A., Arora, K. S., Zielinski, R., & Low, L. K. (2022). Perspectives of doulas of color on their role in alleviating racial disparities in birth outcomes: a qualitative study. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 67(1), 31-38.

Thomas, K., Quist, S., Peprah, S., Riley, K., Mittal, P. C., & Nguyen, B. T. (2023). The experiences of Black community‐based doulas as they mitigate systems of racism: A qualitative study. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 68(4), 466-472.

Vedam, S., Stoll, K., MacDorman, M., Declercq, E., Cramer, R., Cheyney, M., ... & Kennedy, H. P. (2018). Mapping integration of midwives across the United States: Impact on access, equity, and outcomes. PloS One, 13(2), e0192523.

Loewenberg Weisband, Y., Klebanoff, M., Gallo, M. F., Shoben, A., & Norris, A. H. (2018). Birth outcomes of women using a midwife versus women using a physician for prenatal care. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 63(4), 399-409.

Recommended Citation

Wilson, R. (Host), Tatam, M., (Co-Host), Julien, C. (Guest) & Bedard, A. (Guest). (2025, March 14). Important Role of Midwives & Doulas (Ep. 5) [Audio podcast episode]. ⁠In birthincolor. ⁠DJ Brightlight Productions.

More Information

Learn More: ⁠Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative⁠

Support Our Work: ⁠Donate to the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative