Maternal Health Partners & Resources

Maternal Health Equity Center

In partnership with Sisters Hospital, Calming Nature Doula Services & Center, a minority and woman-owned organization, is please to announce launch of the Maternal Health Center in partnership with Sisters Hospital and Calming Nature Doula Services and Center, a minority- and woman-owned organization. This initiative, funded by the city of Buffalo, aims to enhance the quality of women’s health in our community.

Key Features of the Maternal Health Equity Center (MHEC):

Support for High-Risk Pregnant Mothers: Focused assistance for those facing increased health challenges.
Local Expertise: Services provided by NYS-credentialed doulas who understand our community’s unique needs.
Addressing Disparities: A commitment to tackling social determinants of health and racial disparities, especially within the African American community.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes, reduce adverse birth outcomes, and decrease mortality and morbidity rates. MHEC is dedicated to ensuring that participants have access to vital resources that will empower them and their families.

Join us in this vital work to create healthier futures for mothers and children. For more information or to get involved, please reach out!

High-Risk Pregnancies:

Eligibility:

Participant Eligibility:
32 Weeks pregnant or less
Must live in the city of Buffalo
Must be considered high-risk during pregnancy due to medical conditions, socio-economic conditions, challenges with social determinants of health, or race, (particularly African American Women)
Must be a patient of a Catholic Health provider, OBGYN or Midwife.

Expectations:

Expectations:
Attend scheduled prenatal appointments with Midwife or OBGYN
Meet with Doula for minimum of 2 prenatal appointments
Meet with Doula for minimum of 2 postpartum appointments
Be comfortable having a student Doula in along with the primary Doula
Participants will call the Doula when labor begins
Must attend the childbirth education classes
Centering model class, 4 classes, or a preferred class.
*If participating in Buffalo’s Breastfeeding Sisters Peer support program, you must attend the breastfeeding class.

Community Resources

Ahec Birth Equity Program: Monthly Incentive based program for the first year.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch1KpEvIMd-p9-qUx6H8EqUywXTbkxLWXMS9AbHCpUnMmAbw/viewform

Nurse Family Partnership: In-home care with a nurse for first time mothers for the first 2 years.

https://www.chsbuffalo.org/resources/nurse-family-partnership

Every Bottom Covered, Diaper and essential items Depo:

https://everybottomcovered.wufoo.com/forms/ebc-client-application-calming-nature-doula/

Breastfeeding Sisters: African American Breastfeeding Program

https://www.calmingnaturedoula.com/buffalo-bresatfeeding-sister-s

Buffalo Center for Health Equity:

https://www.buffalohealthequity.org

Community Childbirth Class: Virtual class

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdytCsyRMzleZz7EeSPMK4GrtFhGp74fCtZYjmTt5WPIOoqRw/viewform

Maternal Health Equity Center, Sisters Hospital: HighRisk Pregnancies

Placenta Encapsulation: Tiffany Nicole