A few articles from New York Times

Well: Most Moms Give Up on Breast-Feeding

By Tara Parker-Pope

Published: August 11, 2008

A new report examines trends among women who continue to breastfeed and those who quit.

Well: C-Section Moms Less Likely to Have More Kids

By Tara Parker-Pope

Published: April 1, 2008

Babies born by C-section are more likely to be only children, a new study shows.

Well: Formula Freebies Cut Breast-Feeding Time

By Tara Parker-Pope

Published: March 20, 2008

Hospitals undermine efforts to promote breastfeeding by giving women formula samples.

Growing business cards

As I attempt to develop a brand for Michiana Doulas, my research has led me to some interesting ideas, including a growing business card by designer Jamie Weck. Cute!

South Bend Tribune - Indiana Cutting Funds for Maternal Health

Article published Aug 1, 2008
Indiana cutting funds for expectant mom programs
Community event comes just after state cuts county's funds for maternal health.
By ALICIA GALLEGOS Tribune Staff Writer, South Bend Tribune


SOUTH BEND -- When 19-year-old Amber Hurt became pregnant, she went through a range of emotions, including anger, depression and fear.

Now, at seven months along and counting, she says she's come to terms with the way her life has had to change, but her biggest worry is how she can give the best care to the precious life inside her.

"What scares me the most is the stuff that people tell me," she says, "about sudden infant death syndrome and people that smoke.

"Am I being safe enough?"

Hurt's question was one of dozens answered by prenatal and maternity experts Thursday at the Charles Black Center during the Community Baby Shower.A group of about 60 young mothers and moms-to-be sat in a room decorated in pinks and blues while listening to organizers speak on sexually transmitted diseases, breast-feeding, smoking, postpartum depression, adoption and prenatal care.

The event was a collaborative effort between various community agencies and came at a difficult time for advocates of prenatal and maternity health.

Just this week, agencies received word that the state is cutting money for many maternal health programs across Indiana, including in St. Joseph County.

While speaking to the crowd about the GIFTS Program run by the St. Joseph County Health Department, Yolanda Austin broke into tears as she explained that the program won't continue next year.

Funding is being eradicated for the health department's maternal health program, along with Austin's grant-funded position."I take my job very seriously," Austin said, her voice breaking. "And I love all you girls very much."

The health department's director of nursing, Barb Baker, explained in an earlier Tribune interview that the program was financed by the Indiana Department of Health with federal dollars.

The state had reportedly looked at programs' outcome data and other criteria to decide which to cut, Baker said. Her program's cut was likely influenced by a high turnover rate for supervisors, she said, and some trouble catching early term pregnancy clients.

"It's not anyone's fault," she said. "(But) with the county budget the way it is, I have no choice but not to have this program."

Across the state, 15 other maternal health programs were defunded, according to Baker, and other programs suffered a loss of 10 percent or more.An Indiana Department of Health spokesman said he could not return a request for information on the cuts by Thursday.

Austin said her clients will be referred to programs at Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, but she stressed how important prenatal care is locally, in a county that has high infant mortality rates and increased low birth weights.

"In the whole Michiana area, there's a great need," she said. "These women need support."

Support was a key subject at Thursday's Baby Shower as advocates stressed that the mothers sitting before them were not alone.

Many of them were teenagers, single mothers and moms of color, who experts say are more at risk for low birth weights and other prenatal ailments."We provide resources, support, education. You don't always have to come to us, we can come to you," explained speaker Yolanda Washington, a prenatal coordinator from Memorial Hospital. "We are not accessing the care that is there for us. It is up to us to take control."

The young mothers had plenty of questions.

"How long do you keep taking your prenatal vitamins?" asked one mom.

"How long do you keep doing the postpartum thing?" another wanted to know.

"How long do you have to be in (a prenatal) program?" still another asked.Near the close of the shower, speaker Jacqueline Davis from the St. Joseph County Minority Health Coalition spoke to the group about the dangers of smoking.

As she ended her talk, she impressed upon the mothers that they will be the one person having the biggest effect on their children's development both before and after they are born.

"Everyone here today, is nothing but love for you," she said. "But you can't expect me to influence your child. You know who they have to be influenced by?

"You."

Staff writer Alicia Gallegos:
agallegos@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6368