Pregnant? Enroll in our Free Childbirth Education Program
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take control of your pregnancy and birth
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gain healthy gestational weight
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prevent maternal complications
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prevent unnecessary labor inductions
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prevent unnecessary C-section deliveries.
C-section is the No. 1 surgery in Mississippi, which has the highest rates in the nation annually. In 2022, Mississippi hospitals earned an estimated $97 million from the procedure. This new documentary focuses on the birth stories of women in Mississippi and their struggle to have a birth free of medical interventions. Watch free at vimeo.com/1007089716
Regular Exercise during Pregnancy Benefits for You and Your Baby:​
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Reduces back pain.
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Alleviates stress and reduces depression.
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Eases constipation.
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May decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean birth.
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Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
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Improves your overall fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels.
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Helps you to lose the baby weight after your baby is born.
Numerous studies have found a positive link between the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern and pregnancy-related outcomes. These benefits include a reduced risk of gestational diabetes in the mother and a reduced risk of prematurity and low birth weight in the new-born baby.
Relaxation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can improve mental health and emotional state. High stress levels can lead to headaches, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite, which can be harmful to both the mother and baby. Stress can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to preterm labor or a low-birth-weight baby. ​
Mississippi's 1st Birth Center Coming Soon....
Sisters in Birth contributed greatly in molding me into the mother I am today. The thorough classes and home visits gave me a great deal of information to assist with my birthing process. They also gave me a voice when I could not speak up for myself. I was able to focus on not only my health but my babies as well. Learning how to properly care for myself mentally to ensure the best for my upcoming birth. Being by my side during childbirth and checking on us every step of the way once leaving the hospital. This program has greatly impacted my life. It has taught me that African American women voices can and will be heard throughout their pregnancy. To voice my wants and dislikes! To always ask the hard questions to ensure proper health care. Mentally instilling on how important it is to give birth naturally. Realizing that we are all sisters and should bind together during the wonderful time of pregnancy and child birth. -C. Cloy
I entered the Sisters in Birth program when I was shattered! Finding out I was expecting my first child and more than likely that I would become a single mom at the age of 28, left me heart broken. I was extremely depressed and overwhelmed.
Getty and her staff helped me in ways I could not have imagined. Their sisterhood made me stronger. The contagious positive energy surrounded by me and the informative and supportive classes were exactly what I needed. The program became an emotional outlet, a way to get to know some of the other moms, and I realized that I was not the only one going through it or afraid of the big change approaching. ​My community health worker was so awesome. I couldn’t have had a better person supporting me. -M.Jones
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I like that they provide group health education and individual advice when I need it. The workers are very dependable. The breathing techniques and labor exercises alleviated the stress and helped me to tolerate the pain. I rate their performance 10/10. I could not have done it without them.” D. Thomas
I am so thankful that I had so much support. I don't think I could have gone through it by myself. I had a vaginal birth, and I am exclusively breastfeeding. -D. Carter
Getty Israel and the women of Sisters in Birth have been a tremendous help to me throughout my third pregnancy. They have so many helpful tools to help. They also check on you weekly to make sure you and your unborn child are progressing well. They help you to eat healthy and to exercise daily. With the help of my community health worker, Mrs. Yalonda Davis, I went into labor the night of July 24, 2020, which continued into the morning of July 25,2020. -T.Collins
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I was afraid I would end up having a C-section or preterm baby because so many Black women in Mississippi do. But thanks to my birth worker, Yalonda, my daughter was born full-term and vaginally after 6 hours of labor and no epidural. Yalonda convinced me to trust my body throughout the process. She helped me to keep my temperature steady, to manage my contractions and stress through exercises, breathing, and music. She was a big support to me, and I love her so much for helping me to safely bring Alayna into the world. -A.Wansley
Sisters in Birth was exactly what I needed going through the biggest change of my life. I was alone. I had lost my mother at the age of 14, and I really needed her at this point in life. Walking into the Sisters in Birth center was so welcoming. The vibe was just right: the bright flowers, aromatherapy, pictures on the wall of beautiful women who looked like me, and healthy food. We started with yoga. The instructor taught us breathing techniques that I still use. She met everyone’s health needs, asking about our pains and discomforts, and demonstrating positions to help. -T. Clark
Sisters in Birth has an amazing program for expecting Mothers. They provide plenty of education and resourceful information to help educate and prepare one for birth. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of their program. If it was not for them I wouldn’t have had a VBAC. Having one prior c-section, my doctor of 10 years automatically wanted to do another. He was not open to a VBAC. Sisters in Birth put me in contact with Dr. Lindsay Jerome, a wonderful doctor, who believes a VBAC can be successful when the right techniques are being followed.
My community worker, Simeon, was amazing. She was there 100% before, during, and after labor. With her skilled training and professionalism I was able to experience natural childbirth. I’m pretty sure I would’ve ended up with epidural if she didn’t talk and breath me through the pain!
- M. Evans
Rochelle, my community health worker, helped me stay on track with my diet and always encouraged eating more home cooked meals versus eating out. She motivated me to walk daily to maintain a healthy gain during my pregnancy. She also taught labor positions to my husband, who assisted with my labor. She made regular home visits that gave us the opportunity to get to know each other before my birth. She also attended some of my doctor appointments. She helped me run certain errands, like going to the grocery store or moving things into my house. Rochelle worked well with my husband, whom she trained, to help me get through my labor and delivery. I gave birth vaginally to a healthy baby girl that was born full-term.
Oh my where should I start!!!!! Well for starters when I first found out that I was expecting in December of 2019, I knew I was determined to have a healthy pregnancy and birth experience. With that being said I started searching for prenatal yoga classes and by God’s grace I came across Sisters In Birth!!!!!!! I called to ask about the yoga classes. Ms. Israel answered and began to tell me about her program and all she offered to help expecting mommies. -​-M.Willis
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First off, we would like to thank Sisters in Birth for its overall mission for mothers and for being a support system especially for those less fortunate. My husband and I had an overall great experience. From day one, our birth worker, Mrs. Yolanda Davis was upfront with her purpose, which she fulfilled. She ensured that I was making healthy decisions for her and the baby. She checked her meals each week, oxygen levels, weight, blood pressure and her overall mental and physical state. She let her know she was always a phone call away. She made sure that I drank plenty of water and ate healthy meals. A. and K. Tatum
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Sisters in Birth has helped me out tremendously. When I was pregnant my community health worker regularly visited my home to check my vitals and make sure I was eating healthy and exercising and doing well emotionally. The program also gave me free prenatal and vitamin D vitamins. -B. Allen
This program should be mandatory. I have learned so much and my community health worker was there every step of the way. I actually had a full-term birth, and I am breast-feeding. I can't wait to teach others what I have learned. If I can have a vaginal birth they can too. -L.Tolliver
I learned to love myself better and my baby. I had a full-term baby. I held out on the epidural or until nearly the end, but I didn’t get a C-section. I learned how to breastfeed, watch what I eat and exercise. I learned how my baby should sleep to reduce her chance of SIDS. I learned how to deal with depression. My most favorite part of the program was getting up on Saturday morning to attend the education and exercise meetings with the other girls. If I could change anything about the program I would make it longer. My worker, Ms. Edith, held my hand throughout the process." S. Gilbert
"My community health worker has provided the upmost care. She has provided spa baskets with Epsom salt, comfy socks, lotion and a candle to help promote relaxation. She has given me prenatal clothing and countless other things. All the staff were there with a listening ear and sound advice when I needed it. If they weren’t able to answer a call, they responded very rapidly. They information they provided about motherhood and pregnancy has helped to give me tremendous amount of inspiration to carry on. I have greatly benefited from this program, and I would like for many more mothers to do so." T. Norton
“I couldn't have done it without my worker. I had a vaginal birth and a healthy baby. And I am breastfeeding. I couldn't be happier." P. Wallace
During my pregnancy Rochelle accompanied me to my doctor appointments. She coached me about eating healthy, walking, drinking water, and using my birth ball. I looked forward to her home visits. She was a great to my husband and me, and we learned a lot from her. She taught us about wake and sleep cycles, and labor techniques. She helped us with breastfeeding in the hospital and at home. She taught us how to properly prepare, store, and refrigerate breast milk. Overall, she was well experienced, flexible, very supportive with a great personality, and she made us feel very comfortable. She also provided moral support and constant words of encouragement. Thanks to her I vaginally delivered a 7 lb 4 oz girl at 39 weeks.
-M. and D. Bennett