Essential Guides to Boost Maternal Health Awareness and Support Arkansas Families

In a recent step to support Arkansas families, Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) unveiled two vital digital guides: the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Guide and the Guide for New, Expecting Moms. These resources aim to boost awareness about maternal healthcare, especially during Women’s Health Month.

“We want to empower Arkansas mothers with the knowledge they need,” said Ashley Bearden Campbell, AIM’s Executive Director. The guides are designed to help parents navigate pregnancy, understand their rights, and advocate for themselves and their babies more effectively.

The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Guide highlights the recent Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. This legislation is significant for its improvements to maternal and infant health across the state. Key features include:

• Quick access to Medicaid via presumptive eligibility for faster prenatal care.
• More prenatal and postpartum visits, with coverage for up to 14 appointments.
• Expanded services, including Medicaid coverage for doulas and community health workers.
• Telemedicine options to enhance access in rural areas.
• Better provider participation because of increased Medicaid reimbursements.

This guide also connects families with community support organizations like the Doula Alliance of Arkansas and Ujima Maternity Network.

The second resource, the Guide for New, Expecting Moms, focuses on effective communication with healthcare providers. It offers:

• Tips for discussing health concerns, from common issues like UTIs to fetal movement changes.
• Support for mental health during pregnancy.
• Sample scripts for crucial questions that expecting mothers might have.
• Encouragement to voice their concerns and advocate for themselves.

“Every mom deserves to be heard,” Campbell emphasized. The guides ensure that important health discussions aren’t overlooked, promoting overall well-being during pregnancy.

In a broader context, maternal health has seen mixed trends recently. According to a 2023 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal mortality rates in the U.S. remain high compared to other developed countries. This underscores the importance of resources like those provided by AIM, which aim to improve outcomes by enhancing awareness and support for new moms.

Both guides are available for free on [AIM’s website](https://www.aimforarkansas.org/), ensuring that all Arkansas families can access the information they need to thrive during pregnancy and beyond.

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Maternal health,Arkansas families,Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies,Expecting moms,Prenatal care,Self-advocacy,Healthcare providers,Policy changes