MAMA Academy, The Safer Pregnancy Charity’s Post

This week is World Doula Week and we are honored to support these incredible individuals.   Doulas fulfill an important role at all stages of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. They’re nonmedical professionals trained to provide physical, emotional and informational support, becoming a steadfast partner for the mother and the family throughout the journey.   They’re able to develop relationships with families that are deeper than with a doctor. And because the doula is with a family from pregnancy through postpartum, there’s an opportunity early on to talk about safe sleep and the benefits of breastfeeding.   A healthy mother increases the chances for a healthy baby, and recent studies are indicating that doulas can reduce the risk of adverse maternal health outcomes, especially among women whose socioeconomic or health characteristics place them at higher risk for maternal mortality and morbidity. Doula care may result in less labor, fewer caesarian sections, and reduced rates of infant low birth weight and preterm birth.   This matters; the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world, and the rate for Black maternal mortality is nearly three times that for white birthing people.   This is why we include doulas in our Let’s Talk Community Chats.   And, if loss should occur, the doula is there. A bereavement doula provides support to families experiencing infant loss, whether from miscarriage, stillbirth, or a diagnosis that means the baby will not survive long after being delivered. The doula can counsel and comfort the family, be sensitive to their emotional and cultural needs, and be a steady presence during a difficult time.   We’re encouraged to see that the role of doulas is on the rise. A growing number of states are supporting certification, training, Medicaid reimbursement plans, and the federal government is expanding doula funding. In this age of underserved communities and hospital deserts this is essential. #doulas #worlddoulaweek #healthequity #birthjustice #maternalhealth #infanthealth

One of the factors that perpetuates health disparities is incongruent care, which results from discrepancies between those who make the decisions about healthcare priorities and the recipients of care. Learn why including doulas or midwives as part of a care team can help bridge that gap, improve birth equity, and augment your existing maternity care programs in our new article: https://lnkd.in/es7YQHTs

EXPERIENCES OF A LIFETIME Community Doula care is an essential resource in the Perinatal period. It provides a safety net for self-advocacy and supports an optimal birth experience. Positive Maternal Health outcomes especially in the first 42 days postpartum when mortality and morbidity increases, should be an absolute guarantee. Every mother who chooses breastfeeding deserves a positive first latch experience also. All too often Community Doulas hear: ✔️”I’m scared” ✔️”I’m not comfortable with rotating providers every visit.” ✔️”I’m not being heard.” ✔️“I don’t feel safe in the hospital.” ✔️”I don’t trust my care.” ✔️”Why am I being induced?” ✔️”They don’t explain things well.” ✔️Why do they keep asking if I’m bottle feeding? Do they want me to say “yes”? ✔️”I don’t want strangers coming to my home after I deliver. That scares me.” For many, Community Doula care is an essential resource. Their presence and engagement helps families cope. Doulas may mitigate stress related challenges related to perinatal care. Doulas deserve an investment in their livelihood and job security. A certification should not matter when NJ has a very critical need. Through a Medicaid waiver, a consumer can choose their own caregiver to be paid with no training or certification requirements. Doula care should be no different. Every birthing soul should be afforded a hand to hold during the most vulnerable time of the human experience. #communitydoulasareessential #blackmaternalhealthmatters #communitydoulasmatter

Light Every Birth Malawi is for mothers who cannot predict when or how they will go into labour, who face the harrowing choice between delivering at home or traveling long distances through the night to a dark delivery room, and who risk their lives with each pregnancy. Light Every Birth is also for health workers. It’s for midwives and doctors who confront insurmountable challenges—remote facilities, inadequate equipment, and limited resources—in their tireless efforts to provide life-saving care to mothers and their newborns. This week, We Care Solar launched the Light Every Birth initiative with Malawi’s Ministry of Health. “Over the last 14 years, I have met hundreds of health workers, including many from Malawi who have recounted the heartbreaking loss of mothers and newborns when there was no light in the labour room, or no way to charge a cell phone to call for emergency help.” Laura Stachel, Co-Founder and Executive Director of We Care Solar. We are proud to partner with We Care Solar to bring sustainable light and power to first-mile health centers, so that mothers and newborns can survive childbirth, families can thrive, and Malawi can achieve its goals for a safer, healthier future for all. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSypAAc 📸 : We Care Solar

Uplifting Maternal Wellness for Texas Families 🤰 The latest maternal mortality data shows Texas still ranks as one of the most dangerous states to give birth. Though complex factors drive these trends, one thing is clear - we must do better supporting mothers. At Community Health Choice, we believe every parent should feel secure welcoming their child into the world. That's why we offer wraparound maternity care coordinating prenatal, delivery and postpartum services based on each woman's needs. Texas CHIP Perinate delivers NO-COST coverage for pregnant women not eligible for Medicaid. Moms simply choose a health plan like Community Health Choice and prenatal care OB/GYN to coordinate comprehensive services for them and baby. Our pregnancy programs connect you with tools like educational resources and mobile apps along with a dedicated nurse case manager. Whether you're considered high-risk or focused on holistic birthing choices, we help mothers access quality coordinated care. Texas moms deserve to be heard, have consistent access to trusted guidance, and feel empowered as they nurture new life. Our doors are open - let's build the best possible foundation for your family. 🤝🌟 #MaternalHealth #HealthyFuturesStartHere

2024 Maternal Health Policy Dialogue at Nigeria Health Watch Let's talk about maternal health! It's time to break the silence and prioritize the well-being of mothers. From pregnancy to postpartum, every woman deserves quality care. Every policy decision impacts the lives of countless women and children. Let's advocate for policies prioritizing maternal well-being, access to quality care, and support for new mothers. Dr. Charity emphasized the importance of innovation in addressing maternal health challenges. She highlighted the need to shift our approach and translate research into actionable policies and implementations. Accelerating progress in this area is essential. Charity Usifoh Chenge, MBBS, MPH, MSc, DrPH Remarks from, Dr. Hadisa focused on the devastating impact of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality globally. She underscored the alarming statistics: out of 140 million births annually, between 6 and 10% of women experience PPH. Key factors contributing to maternal deaths related to PPH include missed or delayed diagnosis and treatment, as well as challenges in managing severe cases. @drhadis Share your thoughts on what policies you think would make a difference. #maternalhealth #womenshealth #maternitycare #motherhood #healthcare #womenempowerment #community #support #pregnancy #postpartum #mentalhealth #bodilyautonomy

Delayed cord clamping offers a multitude of benefits to your newborn that could last a lifetime. With little to no adverse effects on maternal health, delayed cord clamping is something worth advocating for! Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gDxqip2r #delayedcordclamping #childbirth #birthingtips

Black women across the UK are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth. This new article reports that black mothers are almost twice as likely to be investigated for potential NHS safety failings and reminds us of the urgent need for equitable healthcare: https://lnkd.in/geN-D4nw An example of a solution aiming to reduce this inequity is Melanatal App. Being built by Ruby Jackson, this app will educate clinicians and service users within maternity services to bridge critical knowledge gaps, aiding detection and improving diagnosis rates to increase treatment uptake. Reducing maternal health disparities will undoubtedly require a multifaceted approach. In what ways do you see digital health playing a part in this? #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth

A new study highlights a critical issue: most maternal-related deaths in the U.S. occur after childbirth, emphasizing the urgent need for improved postpartum care. Employers play a crucial role in addressing this crisis by supporting their employees' health and well-being during and after pregnancy. Here are actionable steps employers can take: 🤝Extended Maternity Leave: Offer extended paid maternity leave beyond the standard six weeks to ensure mothers have sufficient time to recover and attend necessary medical check-ups. 🤝Comprehensive Health Benefits: Provide health insurance plans that cover comprehensive postpartum care, including mental health services, cardiology, and extended follow-up visits. 🤝Workplace Support Programs: Establish support programs, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs), that offer counseling, mental health support, and resources for new mothers. 🤝 Education and Awareness: Educate employees about the importance of postpartum care and the available support resources within the organization. By taking these steps, employers can make a significant impact on reducing maternal mortality rates and supporting the health and well-being of their employees. #MaternalHealth #PostpartumCare #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceSupport #HealthcareBenefits For more information, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gZ_YEwZ3. Or for more information about how BenefitBump helps reduce maternal-related deaths and complications by supporting participants through the first year postpartum, connecting them to mental health services and resources, and helping them find and fund a doula or midwife, reach out to us today.

Kemi Olawoye is transforming maternal health in Africa through Babymigo, Nigeria’s largest pregnancy and parenting platform. Babymigo is bridging the gap in maternal healthcare, offering expert-verified health information and local services for expecting mothers across Nigeria and beyond. With over 200,000 users, Babymigo empowers mothers to make informed decisions, aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality by 45%. Kemi Olawoye’s commitment to improving the lives of mothers and parents is breaking barriers in healthcare, ensuring that every woman has access to the support she needs during pregnancy and early parenthood. https://lnkd.in/dudBT_3D #KemiOlawoye #Babymigo #MaternalHealth #AfricanInnovation #PregnancySupport #WomenInBusiness #SubSaharanAfrica #Empowerment #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInTech #AfricanLeadership