Birth Well Shreveport

04/15/2026

Come get some JOY!!!! See you all FRIDAY!
(Not Saturday, my apologies 😃)

04/13/2026

Black Maternal Health Week –
Day 1Recap : Rooted in Justice & Joy

The WHY
This work is personal. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths were deemed preventable.

Birth Well Shreveport, in partnership with the Southern Center for Maternal Health Equity, hosted focus groups centered around a remote blood pressure monitoring system, but this was about so much more than technology. This was about trust and mutual respect. Seeking answers and collective solutions from those who are mostly affected. Honoring their voices, affirming their needs, and and addressing the barriers.

In the history of Black maternal health, Black women have been used for research without consent. They endured experimentation without anesthesia, and their pain was dismissed. For generations, research has centered white men leading to care models, medications, and policies that have not always protected Black women.

Too often:
Our voices have been silenced.
Our symptoms have been ignored.
Our lives have been put at risk.

Saturday moms spoke up with joy!

And that is exactly why Birth Well Shreveport supports this work.

Because hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and postpartum hypertension; are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths.

According to the March of Dimes:
• In Louisiana, the maternal mortality rate is 37.3 deaths per 100,000 births
• Cardiovascular conditions (including high blood pressure disorders) are a leading cause of pregnancy-related death, especially in the postpartum period ([March of Dimes][1])

These conditions are often "silent killers."
And too many of our mothers are lost to conditions that are preventable with proper monitoring and care.

This isn’t just a project.
This is about saving lives.



[1]: https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?lev=1&obj=35®=99&slev=4&sreg=22&stop=370&top=6&utm_source=chatgpt.com "Maternal mortality rates: Louisiana, 2018-2022 | PeriStats | March of Dimes"

04/10/2026

Howdy Mommas!

This experience includes a listening session designed to uplift your voice and shape better support for moms and families. You are not just attending, you are contributing to change through helping with our research. No matter your race, background, or story we welcome all mothers, from pregnancy through 2 years postpartum, to join us for a day of connection, care, and community.

You will be compensated with a $75.00 gift card for your time, wisdom, and lived experience.
There will also be a Kick-Off luncheon with cajun sausage and chicken pasta, catfish, dirty rice, chicken wings and much more, LOL we want you to leave happy and full. Along with several giveaways everyone can use!

Because at Birth Well Shreveport, we believe every mother matters and deserves to be nurtured.
Must register to attend.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScricd60aldwaKLOA1k4aIN-Bhu5bFhK6GIrucM25yLP2CI5Q/viewform

02/25/2026

TWO YEARS. Countless families. Real impact. 💛

Happy 2nd Birthday to Birth Well Shreveport! 🎉

What started as a vision has grown into a movement.

In just two years, we have:
✨ Supported moms through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
✨ Launched the Doula-Hospital Integration Project (D-HIP) — placing trained doulas alongside hospital care teams
✨ Built powerful partnerships with March of Dimes and Ochsner LSU Health - St. Mary Medical Center
✨ Created safe spaces for perinatal support, healing, and community
✨ Shown up for families facing the greatest disparities with compassion, advocacy, and culturally responsive care

We are not just celebrating years.
We’re celebrating trust rebuilt.
We’re celebrating mothers feeling seen.
We’re celebrating babies born into support.

As a young organization, we’ve done a LOT — and we’re just getting started.

If you or someone you know could benefit from doula support or perinatal services, refer them here:
👉 [https://birthwellshreveport.org/referral](https://birthwellshreveport.org/referral)

Here’s to continuing to help families Birth Well. Live Well. Mom Well. 💛

12/21/2025

12/13/2025

From Mrs. Jessica Latin, she is offering free doula services for two moms!

"Hey Everyone! I’m looking for two pregnant moms who are due in either January or February 2026 who would like me to be their doula. I will offer this service free of charge in exchange for a reference for my certification. They do not have to be having a home birth or natural birth. Must live in the Shreveport-Bossier area. If interested email me at wellness@jlcounselingllc.com"

11/23/2025

✨ Our First One Was a Total Success! ✨

Mom Swap Recap:

Our very first Mom Swap was an incredible success, and our hearts are truly overflowing. Together, we were able to give away more than 100 articles of clothing, over $160 worth of formula, 8 pairs of shoes, disposable diapers from or friends at Basic Necessities, cloth diapers, and so many essential resources to families in our community.

Throughout the day, we heard stories that reminded us exactly why Birth Well Shreveport exists:

“I didn’t have enough money to buy new clothes.”
“Nothing fits me right now.”
“I didn’t get my food stamps this month and I’m running out of formula.”
“I just need a few clothes for my baby.”
“I don’t know my size.”
“I don’t have any money.”
BWS Response: “Ma’am, take whatever you need and whatever you want.”

The joy on their faces as they walked into our office… and the relief, gratitude, and confidence when they left… it meant everything.

This was more than meeting physical needs, these mothers/families received mental support, emotional validation, and were served with authentic kindness, compassion, and joy. The team even turned into personal shoppers and stylist—and we LOVED every minute of it. Families laughed, lifted burdens, and felt seen and supported. Even the dads and uncles showed up, and while some swapped, EVERY single person shopped.

At Birth Well Shreveport, we don’t take many photos during events like this. Privacy and dignity are at the heart of our mission. We are not here to exploit families and their comfort is our highest priority —we are here to nurture, protect, and honor the most precious members in our community during their most vulnerable moments.

Special Thanks

A huge and heartfelt thank you to:

Behavioral Specialists, Leah, and her team for partnering with us as a donation site—and for filling the bins three times over, plus several bags of amazing, high-quality items.
Dominique, Shaylon, and Crystal for your generous donations.
Hollie and Jessica G. Smith for your incredible prep work.
Prrsonal Shoppers/Stylist/Retail Workers Lashonndia, Cassandra W., Crystal and Cassandra H. for driving all the way from Arkansas to work and lend a helping hand.
Heather Fontenot and Basic Necessities for helping us spread the word.

My dad, for doing the heavy lifting, putting things together and coming all this way to support me.
My husband, for your love, support, and for getting off work just to come work again—and serve families with us.

We didn't have a lot of money, but we used what we had access to, to improve the lives of others.
-This is what community looks like.
-This is what love in action feels like.
And this is only the beginning. ❤️

11/19/2025

Get • What makes it to our feeds is only a fraction. Are we paying attention? ⬇️

One mother gave birth on the side of the road after being discharged in active labor. Another was left in pain while hospital staff stalled over paperwork. Both asked for care. Both were ignored.

This is why we do what we do.
This is why the Black Birthing Bill of Rights exists.

It is a tool for Black women and birthing people to know and exercise their rights during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. It also calls hospitals, providers, and policymakers to change how they serve Black families.

Hit the link in our bio to download it. Knowing your rights is one way we protect each other. Share it with your village. 💜

11/12/2025

More goodies for families!!!