on the blog: Let There Be Growth
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on the blog: Let There Be Growth 🌱
The right to self-determination is a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations since the aftermath of World War II. Its roots date back to as early as the French and American revolutions but was made international law in order to protect underrepresented people groups. This wonderful and vast right uniquely allows for human flourishing in a way few other “rights” do. To determine your own potential and to self-actualize is a desire that lives in the deepest depths of our human hearts, both toward ourselves and toward our communities. On the issue of abortion, we find ourselves confronted with the most vulnerable and underrepresented group of all: the unborn. This voiceless group, living inside of another underrepresented and vulnerable group (women), is intelligently designed to have the same innate human desires we have, should we allow them the right to self-determination—the right to live, to grow, to actualize, and to be in community with one another.
A new study conducted from 2013-2022 in Finland reveals that eating avocados during your pregnancy could lower your infants risk of developing food allergies. After collecting data from over 2,000 pregnant women and monitoring their infants, analysts concluded that infants whose mothers consumed avocados during their pregnancies had 43.6% lower odds of developing a food allergy in their first year post-birth.
Eating Avocados During Pregnancy Lowers Your Infant’s Food Allergy Risk!
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has launched the First Year Focus program designed to bring trained professionals into the homes of military mothers in an effort to help them adjust to pregnancy and then to life with a newborn. From growth monitoring to breast-feeding assistance, at home visits allow for more flexibility and comfortability for new moms. Maternal health conditions are 2-3 times more prevalent in military women, so bringing unique and direct care into the homes of military families is sure to make an incredible difference in the lives of these women.
New Navy Program Determined to Help Servicewomen Adjust to Mom Life
Through the Ignite Professional Studies Program, High Schoolers in Bentonville, AK can earn their doula certification and begin supporting pregnant women as soon as they graduate.
Doulas are non-medical professional trained to walk alongside women from the first trimester all the way through postpartum. Studies have proven that the presence of doulas in our society decrease infant and maternal mortality rates and are especially important to minority communities who face medical discrimination. Benefits of doula support include reduction of c-section deliveries by 50-60%, decreased use of epidurals, and improved satisfaction with the birth experience.
"Mothers need someone who's going to advocate with them, for them," she said, "throughout their entire pregnancy -- that's before and even after their delivery -- and that is helpful with mothers' health and also just the greater health of our community." - Halle Whitley, a Bentonville High School student in the program
Bentonville School District in North Arkansas’ New Program Allows High School Students a Pathway Toward Doula Certification
Founded by Stephanie Spencer, Urban Baby Beginnings is a Virginia-based connective care program with hubs in Newport, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, and most recently, Roanoke. UBB connects expectant mothers with a variety of care and support options from doulas, to lactation specialists, to counselors, pre and postpartum.
“Empowering expectant families to make healthy birth choices while addressing systemic issues that provide a barrier to individuals and communities who deserve high quality and compassionate care reduces the risks associated with preterm birth and adverse outcomes.” - Urban Baby Beginnings