Motherhood Together Initiative Helps Pregnant Women in Central Arkansas
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is leading an initiative to provide resources for expectant moms in central Arkansas.
The Motherhood Together Program is a joint effort led by Alexandra Marshall, Ph.D., MPH, chair of the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Health Behavior and Health Education; Laura Mayfield, DNP, APRN, clinical assistant professor in the UAMS College of Nursing; and Our House, a Little Rock-based facility that helps homeless and near-homeless families and individuals succeed in various facets of life.
“When we improve prenatal education, particularly for marginalized, disenfranchised segments of the community, we can equip them to be knowledgeable parents and provide awareness of available resources,” Marshall said.
The program — offered in Arkansas primarily to clients at Our House — aims to improve maternal outcomes and provide prenatal education for vulnerable populations, such as women facing housing insecurity.
The College of Public Health governs Motherhood Together and conducts the research portion of the project. Meanwhile, Mayfield handles the regular interaction with the clients and the prenatal education. Motherhood Together has at least three cohorts of women annually and is held in 10-week increments.
Motherhood Together is a byproduct of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education receiving a Maternal and Child Health Program Catalyst grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. UAMS is required to use a portion of the grant to provide maternal and child health education and training for future public health professionals.
Department faculty members decided to host Motherhood Together as it would help expectant moms at Our House who lack resources, such as permanent housing, steady employment and regular access to food, while also connecting UAMS students to opportunities to present prenatal information to the moms and collect data evaluating the program.
“Motherhood Together follows the mission of UAMS by improving the health and well-being of Arkansans,” Mayfield said. “The program fulfills the College of Nursing mission of teaching and service by educating current and future health professionals and the public.”
“The program has been well-received,” Marshall said. “We’ve had as many as 10 mothers in the program at one time. For clients of Our House, participating in Motherhood Together, counts toward their educational or training requirements. Also, it helps that we’re able to connect them with providers and different UAMS resources.”
Clients at Our House receive not only access to UAMS resources and prenatal education but also job trainings, clinical care tutorials and important supplies such as bottles, diapers, robes and breast-feeding resources.
Mayfield, who facilitates the weekly Motherhood Together sessions, says many of the participants — due to the hardships they face — would feel unequipped to be a mom if not for the program.
“This project gives pregnant women the opportunity to talk with a health care provider on a weekly basis about pregnancy, pregnancy complications, mental health, labor and delivery, postpartum issues and basic skills to care for a newborn,” Mayfield said. “After completing the program, the women often feel empowered and have the necessary confidence to succeed as a parent in Arkansas.
“An additional benefit of the program is the support system the women find within the group and the bonds formed between the ladies.”
The program has existed since 2021. It was initially under the direction of Keneshia Bryant-Moore, Ph.D., APRN, professor in the department, who wrote the grant proposal that led to the initiative launching in central Arkansas.
Marshall credits Bryant-Moore for her foresight and takes delight in continuing the project. Marshall said she’s often reminded of the program’s value, especially when past Motherhood Together clients offer to help out and attend meetings.
“I love being able to support the moms,” Marshall said. “Typically, our participants develop a connection to the program and the other members of the group. It’s fulfilling to be a part of something that fosters the physical and emotional well-being of its participants.”
“This project is about helping multiple generations of a family while also providing an ideal training opportunity for Arkansas’ future health professionals,” Mayfield said.
“Working with the program is rewarding,” she added. “I learn something new from the women every week. It’s amazing how resilient the women are. It’s such an honor to see them grow and succeed in this chapter of their life.”