Today’s episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices highlights a “Pain into Purpose story of Kate Boydston. Kate is a survivor of placental abruption, gestational diabetes, and postpartum anxiety and depression, as well as a NICU stay. She has since used her “mom voice” on local, national, and international stages as both a Patient Family Partner and as Mrs. New York American. 

“Being able to know that I had a goal of being on a stage, being an advocate for maternal mental health, really gave me an area to set some goals for my therapy.”

“I'm able to feel like my voice is actually making an impact in my state and community.”

“…my mom voice has been able to travel internationally and that's all due to MoMMA's Voices and the training that I received as a Patient Family Partner.”

“And I think that it's important to find your group of people that will support you in getting to that ultimate goal that you're looking for. And I found my people through MoMMA's Voices.”

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About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

In this “Pain into Purpose” episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices, we hear from Melissa Gordon Metzler about her traumatic twin-pregnancy experience, her desire to advocate to help others, the connection between advocacy and her therapy career, and how she found MoMMA’s Voices. 

“So at that moment just kind of started connecting with myself, connecting with a higher power, and just really felt I needed to live. And I was gonna do whatever it took to get there.”

“We're here and on a mission to help other women to make sure that, that a story like mine doesn't live on for generations to come and we can, we can do better and, and learn from it.”

“I learned sharing my story was my healing adventure.”

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

This episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices is a conversation with Mandi Gross, a Patient Family Partner and also the Administrative Coordinator for MoMMA’s Voices. Hear Mandi discuss her journey from pregnancy to postpartum preeclampsia to maternal health advocacy with MoMMA’s Voices Program Manager, Bekah Bischoff. 

“I truly found my calling in advocacy and my MoMMA's Voices crew.”

“It's been such an unexpected, but amazing thing in my life. I would say take the training, join the community, find the ‘momeraderie’ that we have…”

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

On this episode of the Power of MoMMA’s Voices Podcast, Nicole speaks with Brace Gibson from the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC). Brace explains how her desire to make a difference in maternal health outcomes stems from her own lived experience with severe preeclampsia during her first pregnancy and her experience being compounded by the exceptional life circumstances of being 16 years old. She additionally experienced postpartum OCD and PTSD. Now, Brace serves as the Director of Policy and Engagement for the CPCQC. 

The CPCQC has many initiatives to improve the maternal health outcomes in Colorado, and Brace explains some of them, specifically the Family Integration to Restore Trust Program, otherwise known as FIRST. She also explains the importance of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, or PQCs.

Finally, Brace and Nicole chat about the MoMMA’s Voices’ Community of Learning and how it has benefitted the CPCQC.  

“I'm never not amazed by the impact that lived experience integration has on patients, that it has on family members, providers, and care teams.”

“We're doing the work of addressing sources of care disparities through partnerships of care, and it's absolutely evident now that the role of the patient advocate can be leveraged to build alliances and facilitate shifts in practice and in culture.”

“It's my belief that PQCs are well positioned to amplify patient voices and to facilitate more equitable partnerships between patients and clinicians, to ultimately improve care and outcomes.”

“The community of learning sessions were incredibly rewarding. Sharing space with other lived experience experts and just having opportunities to learn with and from other PQCs, I found to be invaluable.”

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

In this must-watch podcast episode, Nicole Purnell, MoMMA's Voices Program Director, speaks about something we all need to hear - having a culture of acceptance. As someone who has experience in quality improvement projects, Nicole stresses the importance of listening and being open to those with lived experience. She reminds us that when people feel accepted and valued, great things can happen. So take a few moments to listen to this powerful message and let it inspire you to create a more accepting and inclusive world.

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

Power of MoMMA’s Voices this week highlights certified Patient Family Partner and MoMMA’s Voices Community Specialist, Judith Francis. Judith shares her birth stories including, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and how her experiences led her to her passion and mission to spread the message that preeclampsia is not over at delivery. She also talks about the MoMMA’s Voices Patient Family Partner training and some of her advocacy work and engagements. 

“I feel like there's something that I can do and that this is what my purpose is.”

“We’re constantly being told that preeclampsia is something that… goes away after birth, and I'm a strong advocate that it does not.”

“Through training, you're taught not to dismiss those pains, but just to let your voice overcome the pain.”

“You will get the courage one day to just get up and say, okay, this is a day that I'm gonna do it. And each time you speak, just remember that it's a possibility that you're saving lives, you're saving a mom's life, you're saving a baby life.”

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

In this episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices, we have a special episode to commemorate Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day. Nicole Purnell interviews Miranda Klassen, an AFE survivor and the founder and executive director of the Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Foundation. Her passion for raising awareness of AFE was created from her own experience, which she shares in this podcast. She also explains the mission of the AFE Foundation and some of the life-changing programs that the foundation is involved with including, education, research, the AFE registry (which is the largest in the world), and support groups. “We do a lot of things to support our community. They're so very special to us,” said Miranda. Miranda also discusses meaningful volunteerism and the role that MoMMA’s Voices plays. The conversation concludes with a discussion of AFE Awareness Day and the tradition of lighting a candle on March 27th. 

“We as a community embrace one another, despite whatever the outcome is, where we have grievers and survivors that get together…” (Miranda) 

“I think some of the biggest wins we've had have been having a space where families can go and have hope.” (Miranda) 

“…being able to connect with others that really understand the shoes that you're walking in. They've worn their own. They've worn them down. There might be on their second pair. But they understand what it's like.” (Nicole) 

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

In this episode of MoMMA’s Voices, Emily Taylor speaks with Dr. Christina Davidson and Patient Family Partner, Trashaun Powell about the Patient Safety Toolbox. Created as a collaboration of many perspectives including, physicians, nurses, midwives, and the lived experiences of MoMMA’s Voices, the toolbox explains how to incorporate “health equity into all quality and patient safety projects.” Trashaun and Dr. Davidson also discuss how patients should advocate for themselves and use their voices. 

“Because I think as the healthcare team, we're just thinking medically-- what do we need to do? And I think this has really opened our eyes and broadened the perspective…” (Dr. Davidson)

“There was a panel of patients with lived experiences, and I always found that to be one of the most impactful components of the entire session.” (Dr. Davidson)

“Using my mom voice was really a natural part of who I became after losing Mia.” (Trashaun P.)

“To be a part of this engagement… It's really powerful. It really, it really is. It's connection, it's resources, it's friendship, it's community.” (Trasuan P.) 

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

Eleni Tsigas, CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation, talks about her personal experiences that drive her passion. Eleni further discusses the important work the Preeclampsia Foundation is engaged in, including the 10th anniversary of the Preeclampsia Registry and how it is impacting research. Also, covered is the future of maternal care and the Preeclampsia Foundation’s impact on it, including the growing Cuff Kit program, and the new initiative, the Take 10 campaign. Launching soon, Take 10 will work with partners to increase diverse representation of all people in the registry.

The Preeclampsia Foundation was designed to be a “place to come to, to get reliable information, to find a community that [people] can connect with…”

We are a “collaborator, a partner…to work hand-in-hand with you to make the world a better place for those who experienced hypotensive disorders of pregnancy” 

There are many ways to get involved: Become a MoMMA’s Voices Patient Family Partner, get involved with Promise Walks, volunteer with the foundation, or even do DIY fundraisers.

Contact the Preeclampsia Foundation and we will try to help match you with opportunities “where you are.”

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.

Patient Family Partner, Huda A., speaks about her birth story including preterm birth, cardiac arrest, hypertension, bleeding, clotting, respiratory effects, and amniotic fluid embolism. She also talks about her recovery and advocacy including working with an MMRC (Maternal Mortality Review Committee), a PQC (Perinatal Quality Collaborative), the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation, and how she was pivotal in establishing AFE Awareness Day.

“I have no memory of waking up. I didn’t know that I even had a baby…9 years later and I have no memory of that at all.”

“How it is literally ok to not be ok, while feeling blessed to be alive.” 

“I highly recommend the moment that you feel like you are someone who can advocate for yourself and for others.” 

About MoMMA's Voices
MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes.

This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org.