Enhancing Healthier Birth Outcomes by Creating Supportive Spaces for Pregnant African American Women Living in Milwaukee

Abstract

Objectives Nationwide, African American women report higher stress levels and less access to pre- and postnatal resources. Wisconsin mirrors national infant mortality trends that show a persistent four-decade gap in infant survival between African American and White populations. The objective of the Milwaukee Birthing Project (MBP) was to implement a community-based health promotion intervention to improve birth outcomes for pregnant, low-income African American women, evaluate its effectiveness, and document its usefulness to inform development of future interventions. The project involved a mentoring and supportive relationship between 28 volunteer mentors (Sister Friends) and 20 pregnant women (Little Sisters). Methods The project implementation and evaluation were informed by the lifecourse perspective and a postcolonial feminist framework. Thematic analysis was used to analyze ethnographic data from monthly meetings and interviews with pregnant Little Sisters and Sister Friends. Results Our findings showed patterns both in community spaces and spaces created during the MBP. Program spaces contrasted with everyday life spaces and allowed women to experience community support. Based on our analysis, we classify these spaces as: (1) community spaces lacking support, (2) safe spaces of belonging and understanding, (3) spaces that foster meaningful interaction, and (4) safe, supportive spaces for other women in the future. Conclusions for Practice Future interventions should consider intentionally developing safe spaces to attain health goals. From a postcolonial feminist perspective, the voices of women who are at greatest risk for experiencing poor birth outcomes are crucial to the development of effective policies.

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