Whole Parenting Family

who will help the low income pregnant mama?

liz

Most of my friends having babies have support. They have a husband or partner. They have access to childbirth education to learn about what’s happening inside, and how that inside baby comes out. They are supported to be able to breastfeed if they choose it. Yeah, we have birth privilege. ^^ me & my doula, Liz Abbene!

What about women who aren’t well enough off to afford birth classes? What about women who are unexpectedly pregnant, who choose life for their babies, or who are recent immigrants and English isn’t yet familiar to them? What about those mamas and those babies? Who’s going to be their educator? Their doula? Their nursing support system?

Because let’s be honest. The world looks at low-income pregnant moms and thinks another baby?? The world thinks they’re not worth helping and that those babies shouldn’t be here. The world sees them as a problem, a burden on society. Worthless. To be disregarded, disrespected, and looked down on.

My friends Mary and Debby started Everyday Miracles. These women are the real thing. I interviewed them last year. Read it here.

This is the kind of work that would make Blessed Mother Teresa proud. They pour out their love, energy, and kindness on moms like the ones I’ve described. They are love in action. This is what Christ meant when he said to take care of the least of our brethren. I’m so blown away by the work they do. I’m so humbled by it. I want to help it continue.

Because Everyday Miracles has a network of 50+ doulas that educate in a series of childbirth ed classes. Then they go on to doula the moms that they’ve taught. Then they support them in nursing. These moms are loved and supported, maybe for the first time in their lives. Their choices are honored and listened to. They had an advocate in the medical system. They have a pro helping them to navigate nursing and breast pumps! For FREE.

They need donations. Now. Go here to Razoo.

If we don’t help them, they might not be able to stay open because insurance and government funding is slow and also cannot cover the costs of their small person operation. The need is greater than the available funds. I come to you and ask, please give. Please give $5. Please give $500. Put your money where your mouth is. Natural world friends? You have birth privilege. Let these women in on it too. Catholic friends? These women are choosing LIFE for their babies!! How can we not support them?

Offerings by Everyday Miracles:

Four week prenatal classes in English, Spanish, AND Somali.

Belly casts. Yoga. Massage for babies. Baby wearing. Car seat education. Support and love and a place to crash, literally.

Breast pumps provided and explained by the doula–crucial to getting into it and being able to sustain milk supply and nursing, especially as most of these moms are working right away postpartum.

Stats from studies using Everyday Miracles:

Preterm birth rates for 2010-2013.  4.7% compared to 6.7% US Medicaid population.

Odds of c-section were 40.9% lower with doula supported births!!!! This would save Medicaid a ton of money but more importantly, save so many women from c-section if there is a viable alternative!

Breastfeeding rates are 97.9% for Everyday Miracles clients! Compared with 80% of general Medicaid populations. Notably, African-American breastfeeding rates were amazingly  high at 92.7% compared to 70.3% in the general Medicaid population. Access to culturally appropriate doula care substantially helps vulnerable populations. Nursing and pumping are hard work and you need support.

The stories of these moms is amazing. Breathtaking, really. Here’s an excerpt from a letter from one mom:

A doula was something we wished for but sadly we could not find one we could possibly afford. When Everyday Miracles called and offered a doula free of charge I was truly overjoyed. Everything was coming together just as I had hoped for.  [… ] Thank you Everyday Miracles for providing a needed service to women that is not dependent on income. Your organization gives mothers the strength and power to own the birth of our babies.

Please, join me in pulling together as a community that loves women birthing babies. That loves supporting them to be empowered and respected in the process. That loves education about pregnancy and birth and breastfeeding. Please give to help keep the operations running. These ladies are angels of love. I’ve witnessed their work first hand. I believe in what they’re doing. God bless them and the moms they serve!!!

8 Comments

  1. Caitlyn on September 18, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    I love this! After having a doula for my second birth (and not my first), my husband and I are firm doula believers! We have a group similar to this in Pittsburgh as well as a birth center that has an excellent program to serve the low-income women in our area called With Woman Fridays (or Con Mujeres). It makes my heart swell that organizations like this exist.



    • Natural Mama Nell on September 18, 2014 at 11:29 pm

      Doesn’t it just hurt your heart that women wouldn’t have access to this kind of support?? I too am SO grateful for our organization here. That is awesome that you guys have one in Pittsburg that sounds like it’s doing this amazing work too! Thanks for coming over, Caitlyn. Can’t wait to check out your blog!



  2. Michelle O on September 19, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    As a proud board member of Everyday Miracles, I cannot thank you enough for bringing to light the incredible work that Mary and Debby do every day with all the wonderful doulas. It is very important that this work continue for the sake of all mommas, babies and families.



    • Natural Mama Nell on September 21, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      I’m so glad to have the opportunity to do so, Michelle!



  3. Elizabeth @ Coppertop Kitchen on September 20, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Amazing. Just donated. Thank you for sharing!



    • Natural Mama Nell on September 21, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      You are so generous! God bless you!



  4. Megan Edgington on September 21, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    Nell, have you heard of the Twin Cities Doula Project?? They offer free doula services to low income women! Completely volunteer run. Pretty spectacular group of ladies helping these mommas bring their babes into the world!



    • Natural Mama Nell on September 21, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      YES! And a lot of those women work with Everyday Miracles! And a few of my girlfriends work with them too!