Resources for Moms & Families
MSDCOE shares access to publicly available maternal health resources relevant to families in the Mississippi Delta. These materials include educational resources, research reports, and links to trusted organizations focused on postpartum care, breastfeeding, and maternal health. Resources are provided for informational purposes and reflect current research and public health guidance.
Support Groups/ Programs
Pearls of Hope
Dr. Tayla Straughter, Interventionist
Pearls of Hope is a 10- week online Support Group experience designed to motivate, encourage, support and educate Postpartum Women.
"I am a mental health professional---very excited to report that the first cohort of study participants are attending the weekly online support group sessions". POH is composed of 10 weekly sessions for each cohort of postpartum mothers. Group topics align with the focus of the intervention aims and are interwoven with topics that emerge from the group. It is clear that a postpartum sisterhood is emerging, and we look forward to sharing the intervention details in an upcoming magazine article...something a bit different from the academic journal. – Dr. T. Straughter
*Must be enrolled in the Empowering Women for Postpartum Care & Reproductive Health Research Study
SHE Matters
Dr. Jennifer Scott, Interventionist
S.H.E. Talks gives greater insight into sexual health issues impacting our communities or specific populations, hot-button topics discussed in the news, and on social media. Women can expect an open and safe environment to receive comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education.
Participants must commit to completing two virtual 45-minute sessions.
*Must be enrolled in the Empowering Women for Postpartum Care & Reproductive Health Research Study
Articles
Links
Every Mother Counts
We are working to make the maternal health journey before, during, and after childbirth safe, respectful, and equitable for everyone, everywhere.
Mothers for Postpartum Justice
A Black-led collective centered around postpartum justice, nourishment, healing, and community care.
Mamatoto Village
Dedicated to serving Black women through the creation of career pathways in maternal health and to equip women to make the most informed decisions in their maternity care, parenting,and lives.
Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition
It is the mission of MSBFC to establish breastfeeding as the cultural norm in Mississippi by working collaboratively to promote and support breastfeeding with families, health providers, and communities
Postpartum Support International
Dad Support Group
Led by trained peer facilitators, our online groups are a space for dads—from pregnancy through the toddler years—to connect and support one another.
Postpartum Support International
Birth and Post Partum Doulas
A Doula is a trained professional who guides and supports families during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care of the newborn and birthing person.
Books to Read
Wait! I’m Not Dressed Yet!
by Tina Ellis
“She bent under the weight of postpartum depression, but did she did not break. This is a story of struggle, strength, and the unspoken battles of motherhood. A gentle reminder that healing is possible, and you are never alone. It’s OK to not be okay.”
Honour Your Postpartum: The Postpartum is for EVERY womb that has carried life ™
by Naomie Karemi
Honour Your Postpartum: The Postpartum is for EVERY Womb that Carried Life, written in 2022 by Naomie Karemi offers a gentle yet profound reminder that birth is not only a physical event but a deeply spiritual and communal transition. It sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of postpartum life, inviting us to honor both the struggles and the sacredness within those first fragile weeks. Drawing on cultural wisdom from Kenya, it emphasizes the importance of community, healing, and connection—making it a must-read for anyone who wants to truly support new families with empathy and understanding.
The Fourth Trimester
by Kimberely Ann Johnson
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson is an essential resource for new mothers navigating life after birth. It offers practical guidance on physical recovery, emotional well-being, and self-care, helping women feel supported, empowered, and restored during the often-overlooked months following delivery.
Raising Love
by Terri Lynn Bell, PhD
Raising Love is a powerful memoir about Terri Lynn Bell, who became a pregnant high school dropout at sixteen while living in a tough neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi. Though others saw her as a statistic, Terri was driven by love for her child and a strong will to build a better life. She shares her struggles with single motherhood, poverty, and heartbreak while working low-paying jobs and raising four children. Despite these challenges, she earned her GED and went on to earn multiple college degrees, including a Ph.D., while teaching her children to aim high. At its core, Raising Love is a story about growth, hope, and breaking generational cycles, showing that even in the hardest times, it is possible to rise, love deeply, and start over.
Reports
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE)
2024 Annual Report
Mississippi Maternal Mortality Report
2025 Annual Report
Mississippi Women's Health Barriers
April 2022 Report
Gun Violence and Maternal Mortality in the Mississippi Delta
A Dual Public Health CrisisWhat We Value
Community
Respect
Trust
Equity
