The 2019 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (LA PRAMS) researches the experiences and attitudes of mothers before, during and after pregnancy to identify trends and make recommendations to improve the health outcomes of Louisiana mothers and babies. Using the report, the Bureau of Family Health assembled this social media toolkit to help increase awareness of maternal behavior and experiences for partners, policymakers, and health care providers who want to understand the needs and concerns of their patients and improve the health of mothers and infants. Together, the images and captions in this toolkit highlight important messages about maternal health to amplify the findings from the latest report.
Read the full PRAMS report here: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/
How to Use the Toolkit
You can use the following social media graphics in advocacy efforts to improve maternal health across the state. Include each post on your social media by clicking on the images to enlarge them, right-clicking and hitting “save as,” and then copying and pasting the captions under each graphic. Make sure to tag us at @LouisianaPFH in all of your PRAMS-related posts.
Sample Caption
One of the top reasons Louisiana mothers did not use contraception before pregnancy was because they “thought I couldn’t get pregnant at the time.” Unintended pregnancies are associated with negative health outcomes such as late prenatal care and unsafe sleep practices. Learn more about family planning in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Hispanic mothers are the most likely to be uninsured prior to pregnancy and after pregnancy. Continuous access to health insurance and healthcare after giving birth could improve maternal and infant health. Learn more about insurance coverage before, during and after pregnancy in the 2019 PRAMS report:https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Financial stress include separation or
divorce, moving to new address,
partner/mother lost job, cut in work
hours/pay, or having bills they couldn’t pay. The compounding effects of stress and abuse during pregnancy put both mother and infant at risk of poor health outcomes. Learn more about maternal stressors in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Maternity leave is associated with a variety of individual and public health benefits. Insufficient earned leave time, inability to afford leave, and lack of paid leave were the top factors impacting Louisiana mothers’ leave decisions. Mothers who did not take leave of any kind never initiated breastfeeding. Learn more about Louisiana mothers’ experience with maternity leave in the 2019 PRAMS report:https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Domestic violence during pregnancy is linked to maternal depression, substance abuse, and lower birth weights in infants. Increased dialogue between patients and providers as well as consistent screening may help ensure individuals at risk for intimate partner violence get connected to resources. Learn more in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women continues to increase over time. OUD is associated with negative health outcomes for both mother and baby, including preterm birth, breathing problems, and maternal mortality. Every health provider should discuss prescription pain relievers with pregnant patients. Learn more in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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May is Maternal Mental Health Week! Decrease the stigma and increase public health education and patient-provider dialogue about Postpartum Depressive Symptoms. Learn more about Louisiana mothers’ experience with PPDS in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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Support breastfeeding mothers! Evidence shows that breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for infants, yet Louisiana’s breastfeeding initiation rate in 2019 was below the national average. Increased lactation support in the hospital and throughout the postpartum period is essential to improving the health of Louisiana’s babies.Learn more about mothers’ experiences with breastfeeding in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and Black Breastfeeding Week. Everyone can help eliminate racial disparities in breastfeeding by supporting breastfeeding moms. Lactation support can come from healthcare providers, policymakers, employers, communities and families. Learn more about experiences in breastfeeding in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
Sample Caption
Support breastfeeding mothers! Evidence shows that breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for infants, yet Louisiana’s breastfeeding initiation rate in 2019 was below the national average. Increased lactation support in the hospital and throughout the postpartum period is essential to improving the health of Louisiana’s babies.Learn more about mothers’ experiences with breastfeeding in the 2019 PRAMS report: https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/prams/ @LouisianaPFH
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