Episode 4: Domestic Violence

Dr. Conte Terrell didn’t think she would be a victim of domestic abuse., but at four months pregnant, she lost her baby at the hands of her ex-husband.

In episode four of Mother’s First, hear Dr. Conte’s heartbreaking story of domestic abuse and her journey to leave that relationship. Tianca Gillard, a community care coordinator for Healthy Women Houston, shares how the organization offers support to pregnant women who are experiencing hardships, such as domestic violence.

Over a third of domestic violence starts or gets worse when a woman is pregnant. More than 14% of maternal deaths occur in women who have told their health professional they are in an abusive relationship. Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts you and your unborn child in danger. It increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, and injury or death to the baby.

If you or someone you know if a victim of abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Mothers First is a project of Improving Maternal Health Houston in partnership with Houston Public Media and is supported by Houston Endowment.

Episode 3: What is the Difference between a Doula and a Midwife?

Maternal mortality rates in the United States continue to rise, with ethnic and racial minority populations facing even starker statistics. Racial minorities have long supported the role midwives and doulas play in supporting a woman's health during pregnancy, at delivery, and in the postpartum timeframe. In Episode Three of Mothers First, we get a breakdown of what midwives and doulas are and the benefits a mother receives from their care.

Mothers First is a project of Improving Maternal Health Houston in partnership with Houston Public Media and is supported by Houston Endowment.

Episode 2: Pregnant on Medicaid

After the long process of applying for Medicaid, Juanita Coleman was finally approved. That was not the end of her difficulties. Juanita was 12 to 13 weeks pregnant, still trying to find a doctor to accept Medicaid as their only form of insurance. In episode two, hear from Juanita as she shares her story of the care she received while on Medicaid and the struggle of trying to stay insured.

Dr. Carla Ortique, Healthcare Specialist and Co-Chair of IMH Houston, lends her expertise to share that many maternal morbidities happen after pregnancy when women are no longer able to receive Medicaid.

Mothers First is a project of Improving Maternal Health Houston in partnership with Houston Public Media and is supported by Houston Endowment.

Episode 1: Implicit Bias

Implicit bias causes African American women to experience more stress throughout their lifetimes, which adversely affects their health. Their reproductive health may also be affected; social and demographic biases have been shown to affect practitioners' recommendations for long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. During labor, African American women tend to be offered pain medication later than are white women. In addition, African Americans are less likely to be diagnosed and appropriately treated for heart disease, which is a leading cause of maternal death, both before and after delivery. Postpartum depression and anxiety are also under-diagnosed and undertreated in African American women.

In episode one, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, former City of Houston Poet Laureate, shares her pregnancy and birth story of her son, where she was dismissed. Dr. Carla Ortique, Healthcare Specialist and Co-Chair of IMH Houston, sheds light on the role that implicit bias plays in maternal mortality and morbidities.

Mothers First is a project of Improving Maternal Health Houston in partnership with Houston Public Media and is supported by Houston Endowment.