Better Birthing in Alabama

Panel Discussion and Documentary Screening

Midwives and Doulas in Alabama partner with expectant parents to assist them in advocating for themselves during pregnancy and birth. Having an educated advocate by one's side during birth can not only safeguard against trauma but, quite literally be the difference between life and death, notably for BIPOC birthing parents. Following an ensemble cast of doulas and birthing parents, the feature-length film, Bloom, encompasses a breadth of experiences and challenges of giving birth at this moment. Director Allison Reiff, along with BirthWell founder Dalia Abrams and a panel of experts will discuss the film and birthing in Alabama:

Danielle Gershon, MD is an obstetrician-gynecologist working in Birmingham. She is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Complex Family Planning and is passionate about ensuring access to the full scope of reproductive healthcare. Before moving to Birmingham, she worked in the public hospital system in New York City in collaborative practice with midwives. She completed her undergraduate degree at Brandeis University, medical school at the State University of New York Downstate and residency at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School.

Arletha Thomas is a full-time doula on a mission to transform the birthing experience. With over 2 and a half years of experience in this profoundly rewarding role, she is driven by a deep passion for supporting mothers and their babies. After facing harsh treatment and disrespect from medical providers as a teen mother, Arletha is committed to ensuring every individual feels respected, cared for, and empowered throughout their birth journey. As a doula, she draws on her personal experiences to provide the compassionate, personalized support that all mothers deserve.

Dalia Abrams MA, MPH, is a DONA Intl. Certified Birth Doula and a DONA Intl. approved Doula Trainer. She started working with families in 1998 teaching parenting and preparation for childbirth classes. In 2008 she began working as a birth doula and started training new doulas in 2012. Dalia helped co-found BirthWell Partners in 2011 and acted as Executive Director of Programming until the summer of 2024. In 2006, Dalia received her Master’s in Public Health from UAB School of Public Health, focusing on Maternal and Child Health. Dalia served as Mental Health Coordinator for UAB's Early Head Start Program for 7 years starting in 2006. Dalia’s passion is to make respectful and safe maternity care widespread in our community.

Hope Hamilton began reproductive rights advocacy work over a decade ago where she became involved in the community-organized efforts to re-legalize midwifery in Alabama. Hope worked as a childbirth educator, birth assistant, and birth/postpartum doula while on the twisty, winding journey to become a Midwife. In 2021, Hope completed a graduate degree in Midwifery at Bastyr University, received the CPM credential, and was licensed to practice Midwifery in the State of Alabama. For Birth Givers Midwifery officially launched in January 2022 and provides affirming fertility and preconception counseling, at-home IUI, comprehensive prenatal, labor and birth, and after birth care, and herbal consultation.

Upcoming events