EBB 294 - Blending Ancestral Wisdom and Research Evidence with Emilie Rodriguez & Guramrit LeBron of Ashé Birthing Services in New York City

In this episode, I'm joined by Emilie Rodriguez and Guramrit LeBron, the dynamic duo behind Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory. Ashé Birthing Services is a collective of specially selected birth workers who provide full-spectrum care for families in the greater New York City area. Their approach blends evidence-based research with ancestral practices, offering families a unique individual experience often missing in mainstream maternal care.

 

Emilie and Guramrit share their personal journeys into birth work, highlighting the pivotal moments that led them to become doulas and advocates for birthing people. They discuss the challenges and racism they encountered within the healthcare system and the importance of finding providers who understand and respect your cultural and ancestral traditions.

 

We delve into how Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory are changing the landscape of perinatal care, making it more accessible, informed, and culturally sensitive. They also explain how their platform connects people with Black and Brown providers in the perinatal period and the importance of community-nominated Council of Elders in guiding their work. If you're passionate about empowering Black birth and improving maternal care, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation with Emilie and Guramrit.

 

Content note: Issues related to racism in healthcare and challenges in the maternity care system.

Resources:

• Get the free 1-page handout about EBB "Best Evidence" episodes here! 
• Learn about Ashé Birthing Services here.
• For more information and resources, visit The Bridge Directory.
• Learn about the Irth App here: https://irthapp.com/
• Follow Ashé Birthing Services on Instagram

EBB Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

• EBB 161 and EBB 220 with Kimberly Seals Allers of the Irth App
• EBB 260 with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas about Plant Medicine
• EBB 261: Mini Q&A on Group B Strep
• EBB 10 about the ARRIVE trial

EBB Signature Articles:

• Signature Article on Eye Ointment (ebbirth.com/eyeointment),
• Signature Article on Circumcision (ebbirth.com/circumcision)
• Signature Article on Group B Strep (ebbirth.com/groupbstrep)
• Signature Article on Vitamin K (ebbirth.com/vitamink)
• EBB handout on the ARRIVE trial: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive

Get a FREE handout for each topic at the links above to help your informed decision making!

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• Apply to become an EBB Instructor here

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