M & S Maternity Solutions, LLC

It’s Black Breastfeeding Week! 🤱🏾🥳

The theme this year is The Big Pause: Collective Rest for Collective Power.

Here at M&S Maternity Solutions we decided to give you the down and dirty about breastfeeding as two moms who have been there and are still doing it. Oftentimes parents are anxiously awaiting the birth of their baby and are nervous about how the labor and delivery process will play out. As Certified Nurse Midwives what we hear most from parents during postpartum follow-up visits is that they focused so much on the labor and delivery aspect and they were not prepared for postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. So, in honor of Black Breastfeeding week, we’ve decided to spill the tea on breastfeeding, from stats to our personal experience.

🤱🏾Click the link to read our full story and feel free to share your breastfeeding successes and challenges below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u6vHpvnWdYimd2EI2bIsDPtum23RNPct/view?usp=drivesdk

T-30 minutes! It’s almost time. See you all shortly!!

Calling all Doulas & Birth workers! You’ve asked and we’ve answered. I’m pleased to announce that will be offering a Newborn Care Training Class for Doulas that are interested in increasing the services they provide to their birthing families. 🥳🥳🥳
Sunday June 27th @ 4 pm EST via ZOOM. Limited slots left! Registration required.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
🤰🏾Newborn sleep/Activity
🎯Vital Signs
🤱🏽Lactation assistance
⚠️ Warning/Danger signs and much more!

Click the link to reserve your seat today!

https://form.jotform.com/211343908003142

Today is Mother’s Day🌺 and May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. In honor of these two events we are pleased to announce our pregnancy awareness wristbands! 🥳🎉The care and safety of every mother is a priority. There is a maternal mortality crisis in the Black and Brown community due to racism and mismanagement of care. Empower your pregnancy 🤰🏾 and birthing experience by bringing awareness to your reality as a birthing person while receiving obstetric care in the U.S. 🇺🇸 Click the link to get yours! Free shipping on the first 10 orders!!!

https://msmaternitysolutions.com/products

May 5th is the International Day of the Midwife! We know that birth work is activism and this year M & S Maternity Solutions is particularly grateful for all of the Midwives that are showing and proving their commitment to saving Black birthing bodies. We didn’t cause the problem but we are on the front line to fix it because we are all we got! Tag a midwife you’re thankful for!

It’s Black Maternal Health Week!! We are so excited to discuss all things Black Maternal Health with some phenomenal women focused on changing the narrative in Maternal and Mental health in our community!! Please join us this Friday, April 16 for a discussion with Shashanah Ward, MSW, LCSW founder of Counsel for the Culture, Swiyyah Muhammad, MSN, CNM and Mandesa M. Smith, DNP, CNM of M&S Maternity Solutions. You don’t want to miss this!!!

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Day 2 of Black Maternal Health Week 2021 with BMMA brings you a day of events that focus on advocacy and policy addressing Black Maternal Health.

Join the conversation and events with featured community organizers, policy advocates, health professionals, and elected officials as we discuss the ways policies can create a better future for Black Women and Mamas.

All day on Twitter





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April 11-17 is the 4th annual Black Maternal Health Week! This year’s theme is: “Claiming our Power, Resilience, and Liberation” The objective is ensure that all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. Make sure you follow so that you can learn about all of the education, advocacy, and progress that is taking place this week for the safety of all Black Mamas!

It’s almost time! Click the link register for this event beginning at 4pm EST

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FSsQ4mtCSW6QLfpnQaQfIw

It’s 🥳🥳🥳

Black and Brown women have used doula services throughout history. Research shows that doula services can assist with the black maternal crisis because they provide personalized physical, emotional and relational support. Doulas are great at advocating for their clients, especially when they are not believed due to racism and implicit bias. Policy makers and healthcare providers believe there needs to be mass access to doula services, especially for low-income black women, via Medicaid reimbursement. We need more doulas, especially those of color, to support our Black and Brown women during childbirth and the postpartum.

🚨 THIS IS BIG NEWS!!!! 🚨This week Nurse legislators filed House Bill 277, The SAVE Act. NC is one of very few states left that requires advanced practice nurses, including midwives, to have physician supervision on their license to practice, which limits access to care. Please email your Senator and Representative to encourage them to cosponsor the SAVE Act before the deadline March 15th & March 16!!!
The SAVE Act saves lives!

Are you a maternity healthcare provider in need of solutions to implement organizational change? Schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn how we can best assist your organization. Our services include:

✅Option of virtual or in person site assessment
✅Patient and/or staff surveys
✅Policy review
✅Expert recommendations
✅Clinical staff training
✅Integration/implementation of best practice guidelines to improve patient’s outcomes and increase revenue

✨Schedule your discovery call today! ✨

https://calendly.com/msmaternitysolutions/complimentary-discovery-call?month=2021-03

There is ample research that proves that a vaginal delivery after a cesarean section (VBAC) can be a safe option, and that many people are oftentimes not properly consented OR educated on VBACs. There is work being done at the legislative level to address the unnecessary c-section rate in the U.S that can affect reimbursements to hospitals. If your institution is interested in implementing safe, patient-centered solutions to be more VBAC friendly, and improve patient outcomes, click the link to schedule a complementary discovery call today.
https://calendly.com/msmaternitysolutions



Full article here: https://msmagazine.com/2021/02/22/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-vbac-bans-maternity-care-consent-pregnant-women-choice/?fbclid=IwAR3fgrz9FE58djqFFVR9NUFx_C6EykZz5rQq05qtlND1vENmtL-5A1KliR0

Did you know that being diagnosed with gestational diabetes could increase your risk of heart disease even if your blood sugars return to normal after birth? A study including 1,100 women showed that those who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes were twice as likely to have predictors for heart disease during their middle age. The senior research scientist Erica Gunderson stated "women with previous gestational diabetes had a twofold higher risk of coronary artery calcium if they maintained normal blood sugar levels, later developed prediabetes, or later were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes many years after pregnancy compared to women without previous gestational diabetes who had normal blood sugar levels."
We know that health issues that arise during pregnancy increase the risk of chronic disease later in life. Therefore, women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension should be screened regularly for chronic disease by their primary care provider.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-08/diabetes-while-pregnant-ups-odds-for-heart-disease-later

Thank you Tiny Tumblers and Designs! We really love our tumblers!

If you or someone you know is a pregnant medicaid recipient that lives in any of the listed counties in North Carolina please speak to your provider about enrolling you in the program. This is a 3 year grant-funded program that “ will provide education and maternal support to black women in NHRMC’s service area in an effort to address inequities in care continuity and racial disparities in pregnancy-related outcomes. is a community platform to represent the Infant Mortality and Maternal Health Task Force created by NHRMC's Health Equity department to address the racial disparity in the infant mortality rates in our community.”

Recap! If you missed our live event yesterday about nutrition, gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension, you can watch the replay here.



https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/m-BdrOtufyKvtyjqTZNi6fhZD-Dgb_vcADJFi1QHP4MC1xcGdUe0Z1JXPYSdzAv7.TdMLCl7Trgp0LX5X?startTime=1613148327000

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Join me and other amazing Black doctors this Thursday for the second edition of ‘Melanin Talks: Pregnancy & Fertility’! 👩🏾‍⚕️

This is part 2 from our conversation this past fall, hosted by about reproduction and pregnancy during the pandemic.

If you are thinking about starting a family or growing the one you already have, join & I for an hour-long candid conversation!

You can join our Melanin Talks discussion by registering at TheMelaninMD.com/melanintalks. This event is brought to you by !

brought midwifery to this country. is

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Black midwifery in the US has a legacy going generations back to African and Caribbean roots. Half of all births attended at the start of the 20th century were attended by these granny/grand midwives.

As the American Medical Association became established, Black midwives were suddenly deemed dirty + dangerous. Through smearing and policy change, midwifery was largely dismantled.

When midwifery had a revival in the 60s and 70s, midwives were almost exclusively white women. As of 2014, only 2% of the 15,000 midwives in the US were Black.

On today, the first day of support a Black midwife! And Black student midwives! If you’re either, comment with info below!

Click the link to schedule your complimentary discovery call! https://calendly.com/msmaternitysolutions

There is ample research that proves that better access to midwifery care and out- of- hospital birth options like free-standing birth centers reduces maternal mortality rates and racial disparities while also lowering cost. Unfortunately, regulations and restrictions placed on midwives by lobbyists and special interest groups makes it more difficult for low-risk pregnant Americans to have access to high-quality, affordable and personalized care (midwifery model of care). When the health and safety of the birthing person is not prioritized by medical establishments, they are the ones who suffer.

Regardless of the birth setting, it is time to implement solutions that have been proven to save lives and decrease the cost of maternity care. It is time to prioritize keeping low-risk pregnancies and births low- risk. Click the link to schedule a complimentary consultation to get started.
https://calendly.com/msmaternitysolutions


https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/10/why-giving-birth-pandemic-riskier-than-should-column/6561318002/

Unnecessary risk: Women need safer options than giving birth in hospitals during pandemic If more states followed the science, women would not have to decide about how much risk to take by giving birth in a hospital during a pandemic.

Racism has no business in healthcare, especially maternity care! We need more midwives, especially midwives of color!

The World Health Organization considers the ideal rate for C-section births to be between 10-15%. In 2018, the CDC reported the U.S. C-section rate was around 31%.The Joint Commission, which is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, reports that some U.S. hospitals have a C- section rate as high as 60%. In 2021, Joint Commission plans to start publicly reporting hospitals with high cesarean section birth rates. The article states that patient-centered care and continuous labor support can reduce the need for C-sections.

Higher cesarean rates do not result in better outcomes for moms and their babies. In fact, there is a great increased risk of harm to the mother because a cesarean is major surgery. If all providers practiced based on evidence, there would be a decrease in the cesarean rates across the US. What are your thoughts? Let’s discuss.



https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/21/the-joint-commission-report-cesarean-section-birth-rates/3943700001/

Unnecessary C-sections are a problem in the US. Will publicizing hospital rates change that? The World Health Organization has considered the ideal rate for C-section births to be between 10% to 15%. The U.S. rate is 31%.

The department of Health and Human Services has established specific targets to improve maternal outcomes that will be a part of accreditation for Joint Commission standards effective January 1, 2020.

At M & S Maternity Solutions, LLC our mission is to provide healthcare organizations with resources to improve the maternity care process, patient experience, and obstetric outcomes. Click the link to schedule a complimentary consultation to see how we can be of assistance to your organization.

https://calendly.com/s/oo6plub7

This article highlights an abundance of research compiled by Professor Rachel Hardeman and the University of Minnesota on Black infant mortality. Three major statements that stood out to us are:

“When Black babies are delivered by Black doctors, their mortality rate is cut in half”.
“Structural racism has already been at play so having a provider of the same race may not be enough to counteract the “cumulative” disadvantages that often benefit White women and lead to adverse outcomes for Black women”.
Government doesn’t have our backs, neither does healthcare”.

What are your thoughts on the article? “Let’s discuss.



https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/black-baby-death-rate-cut-by-black-doctors/2021/01/08/e9f0f850-238a-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html

Mortality rate for Black babies is cut dramatically when they’re delivered by Black doctors, researchers say Citing systemic racism, they say more work needs to be done to understand the tantalizing statistics in their paper.

Did you catch Dr. Mandesa Smith, DNP, CNM on yesterday’s episode of BBI Talks? The discussion was about Black Women and the rise of Infertility. Check out the replay here! https://youtu.be/-O-DLZmPoOI

BBI TALKS: w/ Prof. Karriemah Lotus Ep. 11 "BLACK WOMEN & THE RISE IN INFERTILITY" We are joined by M&S Maternity Solutions, LLC co-Founder, Dr. Mandesa M. Smith, DNP, CNM to discuss why the cases of infertility are rising among black women...

Tomorrow @ 3pm EST M&S Maternity Solutions, LLC co-Founder, Dr. Mandesa M. Smith, DNP, CNM joins to discuss why the cases of infertility are rising among black women.

Join in the discussion and ask your questions.

BBI TALKS Where Black Business Owners discuss issues that matter!

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BBI TALKS "Where Black Business Owners discuss issues that matter!

The United States has one of the most technologically advanced healthcare systems in the entire yet it continues to have one of the highest rates of all developed countries. According to as many as ⅔ of these deaths are preventable. Furthermore, these rates are 2-3 times higher for Black and Indigenous people. Clink the link in bio to book a complimentary discovery call to learn how you and your organization can take action.

Did you hear the news that the department of Health and Human Services has established specific targets to improve maternal outcomes and that these initiatives will be a part of accreditation for Joint Commission standards effective January 1, 2020?

At M & S Maternity Solutions, LLC our mission is to provide healthcare organizations with resources to improve maternity care, patient experience, and outcomes. Click the link in our bio to schedule a complimentary consultation to see how we can be of assistance to your organization.

Meet your Maternity Care Consultant:

Swiyyah Muhammad, MSN, CNM

Swiyyah is a maternity healthcare consultant that is passionate about improving the maternity care experience and decreasing poor outcomes. As a former travel nurse, Swiyyah has unique first-hand experience of how organizational processes can positively or negatively affect patient outcomes.

Her background in nursing and midwifery includes community hospitals, private practice, rural public health and a freestanding birth center. She has worked in many cities throughout North Carolina and Georgia.

Swiyyah has been a registered nurse since 2013. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University and her Master’s of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University in 2019. She currently provides full-scope midwifery care to both rural and underserved populations in North Carolina.

During the Covid- 19 pandemic Swiyyah began offering virtual childbirth education courses to families so that they could continue to have access to comprehensive education that is needed to prepare them for the birth process and beyond. Swiyyah is affiliated with the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood which provides community workshops aimed at providing families with tools to help them to communicate effectively and advocate for themselves to have safer birth outcomes.

As a maternity healthcare consultant, Swiyyah’s desire is to collaborate with organizations to deliver evidence-based quality process improvements that will not only decrease poor maternal outcomes, but also improve the maternal care experience.

CERTIFICATIONS

● Licensed Registered Nurse

● Board Certified Nurse Midwife

EDUCATION

● Bachelor’s Degree Nursing

● Master’s Degree Nurse-Midwifery

MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS

● American College of Nurse Midwives(ACNM)

● American Midwifery Certification Board (AMBC)

● Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood

Meet your Maternity Healthcare Consultant:

Mandesa M. Smith, DNP, CNM

Mandesa M. Smith, DNP, CNM is a maternity healthcare consultant that has been caring for childbearing persons since 2012. Her background in nursing began with caring for intrapartum and postpartum families within a tertiary care community hospital.



Dr. Smith graduated with a Master of Science Nursing-Midwifery from East Carolina University (ECU) in 2015. She practiced full-scope midwifery in a free-standing birth center for three years caring for low risk families. Then she transitioned to a midwife hospitalist position at a rural community hospital with a high risk obstetric population. Dr. Smith currently works at this location and is part of a team that focuses on increasing breastfeeding rates amongst the population.

In 2017 Dr. Smith graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from ECU. This is where she learned how to implement a quality improvement project. Her project focused on clients that screened positive for Group B Streptococcus(GBS) during pregnancy in a birth center setting. Her goal was to increase the percent of GBS positive clients that received sufficient GBS prophylaxis during labor, which she accomplished.

Dr. Smith has also been an active participant within her professional organization. She has been a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives’ Program Committee (PC) since 2016. She was appointed the PC Chair-Elect in 2018 and became the PC Chair for a two year term that started in 2019.

With her experience in Women’s Health, quality improvement and leadership, Mandesa M. Smith, DNP,CNM plans to use her skills to improve Maternity Healthcare Systems. Maternity Health Care Systems have an obligation to reform their entire structure for childbearing persons. Dr. Smith believes the health and well-being of childbearing persons must be a priority, especially those of color who have exponentially higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality.

CERTIFICATIONS

● Licensed Registered Nurse

● Board Certified Nurse-Midwife

● Endometrial biopsy

● Midwife as Surgical First Assistant at Cesarean

EDUCATION

● Bachelor of Science Biological Sciences

● Bachelor of Science Plant Biology

● Master of Science Nurse-Midwifery

● Doctor of Nursing Practice

MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS

● American College of Nurse Midwives(ACNM)

● American Midwifery Certification Board (AMBC)

M & S Maternity Solutions, LLC updated their information in their About section.

M & S Maternity Solutions, LLC updated their website address.