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BOSTON
- Monday, March 13, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of
Women’s Advancement (MOWA) today announced the launch of a Postpartum
Education and Support Group pilot in partnership with Love Your Menses. The
pilot will support and educate Boston residents, particularly Black and
Brown women, who have recently given birth or are expecting to give birth
soon, and create a safe space for people experiencing pregnancy and
postpartum. This 10-week, free, virtual program will have an initial cohort
of 32 participants.
“Ensuring
that we are supporting all of our City’s parents during their postpartum
period is critical in our work to make Boston a city for everyone,” said Mayor
Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to MOWA and Love Your Menses for this free
program that will connect and support people experiencing pregnancy and
postpartum across our neighborhoods.”
“As
Chair of the Strong Women, Families, and Communities Committee in Boston
City Council, I am pleased to see the City embark on a grassroots
partnership project focused on pregnancy and postpartum,” said Councilor
Liz Breadon. “My mother and two aunts were midwives in rural Northern
Ireland who guided and supported families in childbirth and postpartum
care. I look forward to learning about the results of this pilot project
aimed at building capacity for persistent dialogue and education about the
stressors of childbirth.”
The
program consists of weekly virtual sessions including but not limited to
peer-mentorship, consultations with OB/GYN providers, guest speakers, and a
postpartum care box. Sessions will begin on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
through June 5th, 2023. A virtual informational session for interested
residents will be held on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6pm.
“As
a woman of color, Latina and first time mom, I understand the first hand
struggle women face during childbirth,” said Alexandra Valdez, Executive
Director of Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement. “MOWA is committed
to making resources accessible to all women in the city of Boston,
especially those in communities that are underrepresented.”
The
pilot’s sessions will be organized and facilitated by Love Your Menses,
Inc, which was founded in 2019 in response to the growing wellness need
present across Boston, especially communities of color. Their vision is to
provide support by using community dialogue, evidence-based health
education, featuring guest expert speakers, and postpartum care package
distribution.
“We are
excited for the collaboration to bring this important resource to our
community,” said Asriel Walker, Executive Director at Love Your Menses,
Inc. “We hope to continue to work with MOWA to put all parents FIRST
during their postpartum period.”
The
postpartum recovery period is the time where a person recovers from the
crucial changes that occurred to their body during the antenatal period to
the delivery period. New mothers of color are at higher risk of having
postpartum depression yet are less likely to receive treatment. Research
shows that social support has been proven effective in helping individuals
cope with psychological and physical stressors in the postpartum period.
“Black
and Latinx mothers experience poorer birthing and pregnancy-related
outcomes than their white counterparts in part because of lack of access to
high quality care and resources,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner
of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health
Commission. “BPHC is grateful for MOWA’s partnership in addressing
these disparities. The pilot initiative with Love Your Menses will be an
opportunity to break down barriers and reduce health inequities, better
supporting Boston’s Black and Brown families.”
The
Equity and Inclusion Cabinet and the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement
are focused on empowering women and removing systemic barriers to their
advancement. The City defines equity as ensuring every community has the
resources it needs to thrive in Boston.
“Postpartum
care is essential for the overall health and wellness of those who give
birth and the child they bring into this world,” said Mariangely Solis
Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion. “This is an opportunity to
provide a space for new parents to receive guidance from clinicians while
building community with others who share the same lived experience.”
The
registration form is available in 11 languages.
Registration will close on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. Interpretation and
translation accommodation services during the program will be available
upon request. To learn more information about this newly launched program,
please visit boston.gov/women.
The
Healthy Start Systems Division at Boston Public Health Commission also
includes programs for pregnant and parenting families, including free,
voluntary, and confidential home visiting to pregnant and parenting
families with children under age five who reside in Boston. Through the
Healthy Baby Healthy Child and Boston Healthy Start Initiative programs,
BPHC promotes the health and well-being of women, children, and families in
the City of Boston, particularly those living in communities that are disproportionately
impacted by infant mortality and other health disparities. To learn more
about BPHC’s programs, please visit boston.gov/bphc-newbornhealth.
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