Alabama recently ranked at the bottom of the country for maternal mortality rates. One Jefferson County Department of Health group has deployed healthcare workers about the last five years to combat this problem and assist parents-to-be before and after the child is born.

From Day One (FDO), a free health initiative for Jefferson County residents, began in 2018 and focuses on educating the mother-to-be and her family. Nonprofit community health organization ConnectionHealth runs FDO. ConnectionHealth’s executive director Trinita Ashford said the program assigns women to a community health worker from their first trimester through the baby’s first year of life to ensure better health outcomes.

“We do a lot of teaching about (mothers) advocating for themselves,” Ashford said. She said women from underserved communities may have had negative experiences with the healthcare industry, so they are often afraid to ask questions and talk truthfully about their feelings.

Ashford said the program includes “safety showers,” where moms-to-be learn how to properly care for a crying child and set up pack-and-play carriers and car seats. Fire department officials speak on fire safety in the home.

One of the significant risk factors for a pregnant woman is having health conditions like gestational diabetes or heart issues. FDO program manager Lynetta West said one of the main priorities is for health workers to learn about the mother’s blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other vital health concerns. They can even attend doctor’s visits together. She said the program trains and supports new mothers but is also helpful for pregnant moms with children at home.

“(If) there are other kids in the house and mom has concerns, they’re also going to get attention from their community health worker because we want to make sure they get all the resources and everything that they need to be sufficient and to be able to take care of those families,” West said.

Birmingham resident and mother of four Erica Rice participated in the program while pregnant with her son Jordyn, who recently turned one.

“I learned a lot in the program they had,” Rice said. She said there are parenting classes, and parents can receive gift cards for baby needs like diapers. Rice said she still communicates with her community healthcare worker.

West said establishing a rapport with a mom and other family members is a critical piece of the process. Whether this means helping a mother quit smoking, applying for a job, or getting a GED, the program’s health workers will lend a hand.

“We also want to know (that) once we leave that client, that they are able to learn how to research the resources that they need for their family,” West said.