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Our SisterFriend Program does this by matching a community volunteer with a high risk pregnant woman to provide her with emotional support. It is often referred to as the underground railroad of our times. Women who are “freed” to the point of functioning in our society are going back and leading other women to “freedom,” one on one. The concept of the SisterFriend Program differs from most outreach and support projects in that it utilizes volunteers, or “SisterFriends,” to do individual case management using the concepts of the extended family. Our SisterFriends are all over 21 years of age from all walks of life. They attend childbirth education, breast feeding and parenting classes with their "Little Sisters," and participate as a birth partner, if appropriate. Although we target pregnant black and third generation Hispanic women of all ages and circumstances because of their disproportionately low birth weights and infant mortality rates, we accept women of all races. Our goal is to remove the barriers that affect birth outcomes. Little Sisters receive direction, support and advocacy necessary to identify and obtain health care, labor support when appropriate, learn good pregnancy and life style behaviors for herself and baby, links with health care providers and human service agencies, and assistance in returning to school or work while being empowered to function as an adult who can manage her own life. The SisterFriends and Little Sisters are usually matched in groups of 10, creating a “baby bunch.” While together they learn about childbirth education, breastfeeding, nutrition, baby care, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. We also sponsor a newborn care class for our Little Sisters, dads and additional caregivers in their families. And for those Little Sisters in need of support and counseling for past or present sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, services will be provided. Our Aintie-Tia Program trains our "Ainties" and "Tias" how to better serve the women and teens in our community. Our full-time Aintie-Tias support over 100 high risk pregnant women each year. Although the
As reported in the
Latest
Infant Mortality Report, "Infant Mortality
Rate (IMR) is one of the most important
indicators
of the general level of health or well being in a community. It
is
a measure of the yearly rate of deaths in children less than one year
old.
Although overall infant mortality rates in most states and local
jurisdictions
have been declining during the past decade, the United States' infant
mortality
rose in 2002 for the first time since 1958. The infant mortality
rate for Texas has shown a gradual increase since 2000 and that for
Tarrant County has been fluctuating..."
Our babies are dying due to the health
of their mothers before they became pregnant or while they are
pregnant. Our moms are birthing a large number of premature and
low birth weight babies that are not making it past their second week
of life. Several studies have linked lack of social relationships with decreasing health. It is our hope that bringing high risk pregnant women into a circle of other women to support them will increase their health status. Several studies have linked stress to decreased health and even producing early involuntary labor for pregnant women. Stress increases the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol by the adrenal glands, which then flood the body.When the load (allostatic load) becomes overburdened, damage occurs to the body. Damage produces infection in the body and when an overload of infection enters the uterus, the baby aborts.We try to reduce all stress factors to increase the birth outcomes of our babies by providing emotional support and removing their barriers to care. "Pregnant
women are especially vulnerable to battering, which may result in fetal
injury, miscarriage, hemorrhage, and low birth weight.
Approximately
one-quarter of women seeking prenatal care are abused by their
partners."
(American Medical Association 1992). Most abuse towards women
starts
after they become pregnant. "Women
who have suffered violence use more health care than other women". (Koss,
Koss, and Woodruff 1991). We talk to our little sisters about past and present abuse so that they will know what an abuser looks like. This helps them protect their babies in the future. And also, sometimes helps remove their barriers to breastfeeding and bonding with their children. return to top of page
Andrea
Breedlove, Richland High School Advisory
Board
Kim Parish
Perkins, Executive Director Founding
Mothers
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