Earlier this year, staff and management at the River People Health Center teamed up to brainstorm different approaches for providing community outreach to patients receiving care at the RPHC. 

One of the results of that effort took place on July 31, when the RPHC team, in collaboration with two doulas from Support Birth Doula Collective, a southern Arizona nonprofit organization composed of birth professionals and advocates, held the first-ever Introduction to Pregnancy and Childbirth class in the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Lobby at the RPHC. 

A doula is a person who provides guidance and support to a pregnant woman during labor. Lorie Michaels, executive director and founder of Support Birth Doula Collective, and Cassandra Alderete, the organization’s co-founder and director of birth services, facilitated the presentation, which covered topics including anatomy of birth, the stages of labor, patient rights, contractions and much more. Michaels and Alderete are community doulas who provide support to expecting mothers. 

“We want to make sure you understand and are informed,” said Michaels. Alderete assisted Michaels through a PowerPoint presentation detailing each of the steps of pregnancy as well as what to expect post-pregnancy. 

Attendees received a goodie bag compliments of the RPHC. Inside the tote bag were informational handouts on pregnancy and an Indigenous nutrition book featuring traditional recipes families can make and enjoy at home.

Introduction to Pregnancy and Childbirth is expected to be an ongoing series of classes held in the WIC Lobby at the River People Health Center. Information on the next class will be released in the near future.

Families with questions regarding pregnancy and the childbirth process can contact the RPHC team at (480) 278-7742. Contact Support Birth Doula Collective by email at info@supportbirth.org.