Fort Worth/Dallas Birthing Project

“Empowering women growing babies in a healthy community.”

Aintie-Tia Program — Empowers Families Bringing Healthy Babies

The Aintie-Tia Program replicated the Health Connect One’s (formerly Chicago Health Connection) Community-Based Doula Model, a nationally recognized model which is currently used in over 17 sites around the country. We recruited 10 African American women in Tarrant County to provide education and support during pregnancy, labor and birth, breastfeeding and the first 4 months of a baby’s life.

 

We collaborated with the University of North Texas Health Science Center's (UNTHSC) Texas Center for Health Disparities and Amon Carter Foundation to pilot the first study looking at African American birth outcomes in Tarrant County.

 

We hired 4 Aintie-Tias, community-based doulas, to support our highest risk pregnant women in Tarrant County; African American women 18 and older.  Without regards to income or education level, the Aintie-Tias educated and empowered women and their families to bring healthy babies to our community. 

 

The Aintie-Tia Program not only produced the first certified African American doulas in Tarrant County but trained African American Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators as well.

 

The Aintie-Tias work tireless hours transporting moms to appointments and serving births as long as 30 hours!  Norma Bogan, Faith Ellis, Wendy Jones, Nikia Lawson, Aisha Pouncil, and Chiquita Preston all unconditionally gave up precious time with their family and friends to do what no other group could accomplish; bring healthy babies to women highest risk for losing their babies.  Never stepping foot in an NICU, they spent one-on-one time with women leaving no stone unturned. 

 

They are our modern day She-roes never to be forgotten by many.

The Passion of an Aintie-Tia

The Aintie-Tias held 8 childbirth education classes and 1 breastfeeding class in the last year with over 100 participants!  The class participants were women who came alone to mother/daughter and husband/wife teams.  They ranged in age, race, income and education level.  We were able to host the classes free of charge through the generous support of Lamaze International, Harris Methodist Health Foundation, and individual contributors.

Out of 108 referrals:

 

87 participants

100% African American

Age Breakdown; 44% 18-21, 44% 22-30, 10% 30+

 

93% of babies born above low birth weight

13%  1st time c-section

70%  women breastfed 

How We’re Doing