United Birth Coalition

Meet one of our newest board leaders, Claire Reed. Claire and Meghan went to the Indiana Midwifery Committee meeting on Monday. Dr Nathan Riley was given approval to collaborate with more than 4 midwives in the state.

Claire is a Christian, prolife, wife, mother of 2, and a member of the Osage Nation residing in rural Indiana. She has a bachelor's degree in health services and currently holds a certified clinical medical assistant license. She has experience in long term care and both early childhood education and parenting education. She is passionate about promoting breastfeeding and safe co-sleeping and now also homebirth and midwifery care since having experienced a traumatic hospital birth and then a glorious water birth with a midwife. She also has experience speaking before the legislature and is involved in the local Christian pregnancy resource center.

Fun fact: Claire was born at home in Indiana with an Amish midwife!

Had a good Indiana Midwifery Committee board meeting this morning. Looking to open up the regulations to help midwives be able to practice and serve the undeserved and maternity care deserts.

Had a lovely time talking to businesses today about our Family Fun Fest July 18th at Mount Echo Park. We also bought chalk and face paint for the festival. Mark your calendars!

Welcome to one of our newest board members Katrina Hull! Katrina is an educator and advocate who cares deeply about expanding safe, informed birth options for families. A former high-school math and engineering teacher with over 12 years in the classroom, Katrina has built programs that connect young people to mentors, opportunity, and real-world problem solving, her work has been recognized with honors, including MESA Teacher of the Year and Crystal Apple Honoree. She remains connected to the Lemeon-MIT Program as a Teacher Fellow. As a parent of three with a wide range of birth experiences-including a hospital water birth, an unexpected car birth en route to the hospital, and a midwife-supported home birth-Katrina brings both personal perspective and practical empathy to birth advocacy. She is passionate about access to midwifery care, and clear, research-grounded education so families can make confident decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Had a great meeting with the Indiana Medical Board last week asking them to allow our collaborative physician to work with more than 4 midwives and midwives who live more than 90 miles away. Excited to work on improving midwifery integration in Indiana! Stay tuned for Indiana legislation updates!

Had an amazing turn out for our proponent testimony for HB 537 today! Thank you for all who sent in their letters of support!

We will be in Indiana next Friday to talk about ways to improve midwifery access in the region 🩵💙💜 Meet us there !

We want as many of you to be able to participate as possible, so this event is postponed!
Stay tuned for a new date!