We all have biases that affect all aspects of our lives. They can also affect the lives of others with whom we interact. Not every bias is harmful or hurtful. However, implicit biases –biases that we do not recognize- may lead to decisions or practices in life and at work that can lead to harmful outcomes. Whether bad or good, justified or unjustified, our beliefs and attitudes can automatically trigger our behavior and decision-making. It can happen unintentionally, unconsciously, without effort, and in a matter of seconds. Research and media reports highlight that implicit bias can negatively affect patient medical care.

It’s been 30 years since the American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations calling for a change in infant sleep practice. Discovering that infants sleep safest when alone, on their back, on a firm sleep surface (crib), the “ABCs” of safe sleep became a shining model of a successful public health campaign as infant sleep deaths declined for 10 straight years to record lows

We are Life-Long Learners. When we decided to become physicians we made an unspoken promise to continue to learn—to do otherwise is to fail our patients. Every time we step into a patient’s exam room we silently promise that we are providing them with the best knowledge we have.

The opioid epidemic.

We’ve all heard this term, and we’re all aware of this issue, but I feel like many have missed that the “opioid epidemic” is being overshadowed by a Fentanyl epidemic instead. “But wait,” I hear people say – “Fentanyl IS an opioid!” True, true…it is a synthetic opioid, but put a pin in this because we are going to come back to it in just a minute. In the meantime, I’d like to talk about the population with which I specialize in working with in this terrifying new world – pregnant women and new mothers.

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Today, we pay tribute to Cheryl Dunn, who embodies the spirit of selflessness, turning her passion into action and making a profound impact on the families we serve.

As we bid farewell to another impactful year at Healthier Moms & Babies, we take a moment to reflect on the strides we've made and the challenges we've faced in our mission to combat maternal and infant mortality. In 2023, our team has been fueled by passion, determination, and a collective commitment to create positive change for mothers and infants in our region.

Premature birth, also known as preterm birth, is a global health concern affecting millions of families each year. It occurs when a baby is born before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy. In this blog post, we will delve into the various factors contributing to premature birth and explore the short-term and long-term effects on both the baby and the family.

Each year, a group of dedicated community leaders join us for our Fighting for Firsts campaign as we aim to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in our region. The campaign culminates at our Fighting for Firsts dinner on November 3, which ushers in Prematurity Awareness Month and raises important funds for our mission.

Last week, Healthier Moms and Babies’ CEO Paige Wilkins was honored with the Torchbearer Award “Keeper of the Light” from the Indiana Commission for Women. These awards are a prestigious recognition of outstanding women in Indiana who have significantly contributed to their communities and overcome life obstacles.

Last year, Kenny Thomas joined our team as our Male Engagement Coordinator. In this role, he engages fathers with parenting skills, peer companionship, co-parenting techniques, and education on child development. Countless studies have shown that the father’s involvement in the pregnancy reduces negative maternal health behaviors, risk of pre-term birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality.

Do you know that 1 in 3 families experience diaper need? What exactly does that mean? It means these families lack the financial resources to provide sufficient supply of diapers to keep their baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy. A healthy supply of diapers for one child costs roughly $100 per month, and government programs like WIC and food stamps do not allow their resources to be used to purchase diapers

Do you know that maternal mental health disorders like postpartum depression are the #1 complication of childbirth? According to the Blue Dot Project, up to 1 in 5 women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder, and of those, less than 15% will receive treatment.

We are excited to launch our doula program to better serve our families! Extensive research shows us doulas are a mitigating factor for maternal mortality and many other risks to birthing families, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

This month, we’re highlighting our Client Advisory Council! The Client Advisory Council consists of past clients across a variety of programs interested in continuing to improve the work we do at Healthier Moms and Babies.