Ohio Better Birth Midwifery

01/09/2026

Remembering a bright light in the birth community 💔

Dr. Janell Green Smith (“Neli”) was a devoted certified nurse-midwife, researcher, and passionate advocate for Black maternal health. At just 31 years old, she tragically died from childbirth complications while welcoming her first child.

Her death during childbirth reflects the ongoing disparities Black families continue to face, realities she dedicated her life to changing.

We hold her family, loved ones, and colleagues in our hearts during this time of loss.

06/28/2025

Went to PRIDE today, and my youngest drew this beautiful homage to the classic Jim Davis cartoon. It's now on the fridge. 😀 we had a great time, happy PRIDE y'all!

06/17/2025

Renewed for another three years!

05/20/2025

⭐️ You don’t need to “prove” your health to deserve respectful care. ⁠
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Your body is not a debate. Your worth is not up for discussion. And your need for compassionate, evidence-based care doesn’t come with conditions.⁠
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Let’s be clear: Every person—regardless of size—deserves to be heard, supported, and treated with dignity.⁠
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Respect isn’t earned through lab results or BMI charts. It’s a basic human right. 💛 ⁠
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05/07/2025

The last bill died in committee, a new bill has been introduced to license CPMs here in Ohio and expand CNM scope of practice. Im hopeful that this one will make it through!

05/04/2025

This is not an all-inclusive list. Some of these scenarios would not necessitate a transfer if birth is imminent or the problem is transient, while others would mean activating EMS. If you are having a breech baby, just before birth and also during the second stage, toothpaste like meconium may be present, and that is normal. Earlier in labor, straw colored, translucent green, or small flecks of meconium, slight pink or streaks of blood in fluid from bloody show can also be normal regardless of baby's presentation.

05/03/2025

04/22/2025

Pretty Rooster at a clients house.

04/17/2025

Welcome, little Dorothy! Mom, Dad, their lovely doula Violet, and I welcomed this family's second baby to the world this morning.

03/26/2025

02/19/2025

Need help with Breastfeeding in Ohio? Consider reaching out to the hotline!

02/12/2025

Ignoring the problem or erasing the problem does not mean the problem doesn't exist. This is yet another example of racism effecting peoples lives and exposing the underlying reasons why black folks face higher mortality and morbidity rates. From 2022, the rates have not gotten better.