who is going to help give low-income women childbirth support?

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!!!