Maternal Health Program

EDUCATION
Education classes to fit your needs

Childbirth Education – how to know you are in labor, pain management, induction and interventions, and the postpartum period. We cover it all in this hands-on class. Available quarterly in English and Spanish.
Breastfeeding Education– we cover everything from latch, pumping, and infant feeding. This class is available quarterly in English and Spanish.
Special Series– we offer some amazing one-off presentations for parents around topics like infant massage & safe sleep. Keep an eye on our social media to see what’s coming up next.

CONNECTION
Check out our community parenting groups

Milk Diaries- Breastfeeding Community Group: Meeting once a month, on the first Monday of each month, 10:00-11:00am
Mom 2 Mom- Postpartum Community Group: Meeting once a month, on the fourth Monday of each month, 6-7pm
Black Mama Magic- Community Group for African American Mamas:Meeting once a month, on the third Tuesday of each month, 6-7pm.

ADVOCACY
Community Based Doula Project

What is a doula?

A doula is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical,
emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and
shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. ” ~ DONA International

Basically – a doula provides extra support for a positive birth and postpartum experience. Doulas don’t replace the support of a partner or family member but rather enhance that support!

Research shows that women who use a birth doula are:

less likely to need Pitocin
less likely to have a cesarean
less likely to use pain medication

Who is eligible?

Henderson County residents
Medicaid eligible or uninsured
Low-income, under-resourced families
No immigration status required

What is offered?

Bilingual Prenatal and Postpartum support, from early pregnancy up to one year postpartum, including: insurance navigation, transportation to appointments, childbirth preparation classes, breastfeeding education and support, reproductive health information, resource referrals and more!
Connection to a birth and/or postpartum doula for eligible participants
Membership in our Full Tum, Dry Bum diaper and formula assistance program

Meet our Doulas

Kim Nuwowkunski,
Certified Birth Doula

“Having been a stay at home wife and mother, raising four sons and cheering on a hard working husband, my calling is to love, nurture and encourage. and that is what a doula does! Being certified through three different doula organizations (DONA , Dar la Luz and Stillbirthday) gives me a holistic, faith-based, well-rounded approach to working with families.”

Colette Featherston,
Certified Postpartum Doula, Lactation Consultant

Colette’s varied life and work experiences came together and inspired becoming a postpartum doula, after the birth of her child. She brings her passion in supporting each family to create a space of connection and healing. This could look like helping a tired parent get a nap, listening to a birth story, preparing a nutritious meal, providing support with baby-wearing, offering chest/breast or bottle feeding support, or finding support and skills for navigating the rollercoaster of emotions that often accompany the postpartum time. Colette brings non-judgmental nurturing for the whole family and evidence-based information to help each client create an individual and empowered postpartum experience.

Elisa Junco-Raturi,
Certified Birth Doula, Bilingual (English/Spanish)

“Elisa believes that birthing a child is one of the most amazing miracles in a woman’s life.

Elisa believes it is an honor and privilege to assist and offer caring support for mothers and their families as they enter the transition of the birthing process and into the path of parenthood. She brings a nurturing and grounded presence and is able to attune authentically to people from all walks of life. She draws from many years of studying whole food nutrition, breathwork, dance, and is a certified Herbalist.

She also serves as an EMF ( Electric and Magnetic fields) wellness coach for families. Elisa also enjoys offering mother blessing / blessing way ceremonies for women who feel called to this type of celebration. She is very excited to offer her doula services to the Latin and Hispanic community.”

Kate Rubens,
Certified Birth Doula

“I am a deep defender of birth rights and bodily autonomy and believe that advocacy is integral in the birth space. My intention is to help facilitate awareness and knowledge regarding our bodies and reproductive health. Everyone has the right to an expansive, compassionate and caring pregnancy, birth and postpartum.”

Terri Simmons,
Certified Birth Midwife, Bilingual (English/Spanish)

“Birthing is a beautiful process. I will never tire of participating in this magical process and bearing witness to the hard and rewarding work required for a baby to be born. In my 30 years of attending births, I have been moved and inspired by the presence of power; I am humbled by the unexpected gifts and experiences that almost always arise.”

“Dar a luz es un proceso precioso. Nunca me cansaré de ser partícipe de este proceso mágico ni de ser testiga directa del duro y gratificante trabajo que significa nacer para la, el o le bebé. En los 30 años que llevo asistiendo partos, la presencia de el poder de parir y nacer me ha inspirado y conmovido de forma constante, igual que me honran las diferentes e inesperadas experiencias que casi siempre suceden durante el parto. “

Support Doulas & Doulas in Training

Auriel Washington

Katie Robinson

Lorna Festa

Interested in serving as a community-based doula?

View the job description here.
Download the application and return to [email protected]