Provide Doula Care To Teen Survivors

Sparrow Hospital and The Firecracker Foundation hosted a case review to improve birthing experiences and outcomes for BIPOC teen survivors.

In August 2022, a Black teen was admitted to the Birthplace at McLaren Hospital for a possible induction of labor. The medical staff charged with her care violated her Patient Rights and the nursing staff weaponized hospital security as a threat of criminalization and violence against the TFF Doula.

Statewide advocates working to improve maternal health outcomes came together for a press conference to spread awareness about the real-time experiences of Black teens seeking maternal healthcare at McLaren Hospital, demand policy changes, and discuss the importance of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and other legislation that aims to improve maternal and infant mortality rates for Black women and children.

Sparrow Hospital responded to TFF’s statewide call to action by offering to host a case review of the McLaren incident to help their staff prevent similar incidents from occurring during births. This key partnership further bolsters the hospital’s commitment to increased trauma-informed care, consent, and shared decision-making in the birth setting, and building healthy professional relationships between doulas and medical staff. 

I am happy to share that more than 40 nurses attended the case review! We facilitated an in-depth discussion about the incident as well as ways that doulas and other birthworkers can collaborate with medical professionals to make hospital birthing safer, and inclusive, and uplift the wishes of birthing folks. TFF will have another opportunity in June for another case review with physicians.  

Thank you to Tonyie Andrews-Johnson the Director of Women’s Services at Sparrow for inviting us and continuing the conversation. 

Your donations make it possible for our team to provide full-spectrum doula services and advocate for the young people in our care through culture-shaping work. 

While we are still hopeful that our client will receive a restorative response from McLaren Hospital, we are moving forward with those who are ready and receptive to improving birth equity for BIPOC youth in Ingham County and across the state.

In solidarity,

PS - We are hosting a screening of the movie Birthing Justice on June 7th. Click here for more information or to reserve your seat. 

Links:

• Lansing mom claims McLaren hospital workers abused her
• Birthing Justice Screening + Expert Panel
• Black Maternal Health Momnibus

New skills for the new year! One of our priorities as birthworkers is to create a safe space for pregnant and parenting teens and their families to learn. The 5 Love Languages is a tool we share with clients to help them think about different ways to communicate care and support. 

J has a really strong partner. Her baby was fairly large, so she birthed via c-section. Collaborating with her TFF Doula, these are the ways J’s partner practiced The 5 Love Languages through her labor and, later, as she recovered at home: 

• Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation. During the birthing process, her partner offered comforting reassurance:: “You are strong. You are capable. Your body was made for this.” 

• Love Language #2: Acts of Service.  While she is nursing, J’s partner makes sure she is nourished by bringing her favorite iced prickly pear tea along with fresh fruit. Tending to household chores, like doing laundry and emptying the dishwasher, is a tremendous help to new parents who are often sleep-deprived.

• Love Language #3: Gifts.  We often think of giving gifts in the form of material items. But, one of the best gifts for a new mom is the gift of time — whether to take a long shower and do a body scrub, read a book or go for a walk with friends.. In this case, J’s partner arranged for a sitter so that they could enjoy a movie date to  see the latest  Black Panther film. 

• Love Language #4: Quality Time. Making time for connection as new parents is important for building a strong family. When the baby goes down for a nap, J and her partner watch a few episodes of their favorite anime while snuggling on the couch. 

• Love Language #5: Physical Touch. Back soreness is common for nursing moms whose  posture  changes to accommodate  feeding and carrying their growing baby. Partners can help relieve muscle tension by offering regular  massages or creating a D-I-Y warm compress from a sock filled with warm rice. With care like this from her partner, J has now been able to breastfeed for 4 months.

Your kindness has allowed us to build strong families by providing full spectrum doula care from labor support to respite care during the crucial postpartum period. Our sincere thanks!