Addressing maternal mortality and morbidity issues in Harris County is a marathon, not a sprint, and every leg counts. Today, we check in with a current medical student at UT McGovern Medical School, passionate about being part of the next generation of physicians advocating for women’s health. read more…
L.I.F.E. Houston: Feeding Hungry Babies
Originally founded as a ministry of the Church of St. John the Divine to provide emergency formula for babies in need, the organization was granted nonprofit status in 1990. Since then, L.I.F.E. Houston has been filling bottles and feeding babies in the Greater Houston area. L.I.F.E. Houston is the only agency that provides emergency food for babies. Good nutrition during a baby’s first year gives baby a strong start for a strong future. read more…
Maternal Quality Matters: Kendra Folh
At the age of 17, during a trip to Nova Scotia where she learned her great-grandmother was a midwife for the women living on the island, Kendra Folh made the decision to go to nursing school and work in the maternal health field. She has worked with moms-to-be and new moms in a traditional hospital setting as well as at a birth center. read more…
HCCTV Up To The Minute: Sept. 14, 2020
On this morning’s Up To The Minute, Yvonne Harris of Improving Maternal Health Houston discusses the disparity in maternal health care for minorities, with Harris County often leading the nation in implicit bias, while Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, a mother and a poet, shares how she witnessed it first-hand. read more…
Maternal Mental Health Must Be Addressed
Our society loves to love mothers. But only certain narratives of mothers. We place a lot of pressure on moms, even new ones, to be perfect and happy. In reality, motherhood is messy, and supporting mothers needs to include the good and the bad. As many as one in five new mothers experiences some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs), which are frequently left untreated and can lead to really detrimental outcomes for mom and baby. read more…
Webinar: Addressing Racial Bias in Maternal Health Outcomes Through Data Disaggregation
Black women are three to four times more likely to die a pregnancy-related death in the United States than white or Hispanic women. Maternal mortality rates are only part of the story; that is, maternal deaths are a tragic outcome related to a much bigger problem. On October 8, hear from a group of experts who are addressing disparities in maternal outcomes by reviewing data by race and ethnicity and developing customized interventions. read more…
A Texas Grandmother’s Story: Why We Must Improve Maternal Health
This National Grandparents Day, I count my blessings twice as I celebrate with my daughter and one-year-old granddaughter, considering how our happy delivery day nearly became a tragedy. Having worked in healthcare and health systems for 30 years, with over half that time in executive positions, I share my story as a cautionary tale. read more…
Mothers First: Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton
Implicit bias causes African American women to experience more stress throughout their lifetimes, which adversely affects their health. In episode one, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, former City of Houston Poet Laureate, shares her pregnancy and birth story of her son, where she was dismissed. Dr. Carla Ortique, Healthcare Specialist and Co-Chair of IMH Houston, sheds light on the role that implicit bias plays in maternal mortality and morbidities. read more…
My Story with Postpartum Preeclampsia: Jessica Eslinger
Seven days after delivering a healthy baby girl and having a normal pregnancy, Jessica was at home, experiencing the ups and downs of her new family, yet she still did not feel like herself. As a new mom, she did not know what she was supposed to feel like; however, she knew that this was probably not it. At the time she said, “I feel like I have to take a deep breath.” Although she was not experiencing shortness of breath. read more…
I Am a Near-Miss: Kaila Pucci
We had every odd against us…emergency C-section, internal bleeding, second emergency surgery and intubation, massive blood transfusion, and a premature baby with an extended NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) stay. Each of these complications, on their own, decreases the likelihood that I would successfully breastfeed. I have no shame for how I felt, no shame for getting help, and no shame in sharing. read more…