Building Bridges for Better Care

Improving maternal care requires a two-way street of empathy and understanding. MNPQC strives to connect family experiences with provider education.

MNPQC’s Patient Family Partner (PFP) Program

Through certification with the Momma’s Voices Patient Family Program (PFP), participants gain valuable skills and opportunities to share their stories. Patients can bring their lived experience to Quality Improvement Projects, speak at conferences, and be featured on our YouTube channel. If you are interested in sharing your story, click the button below to learn more!

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Listen to Minnesota Families

Discover the powerful stories of mothers, fathers, and caregivers sharing insights from pregnancy, birth, and parenting in Minnesota. Each story reveals real experiences, including both the challenges and triumphs of bringing life into the world.

Emily’s Story: Navigating Mental Health After Pregnancy

After the birth of her son, Emily opens up about her struggles with mental health. Inspired by the CDC’s Hear Her campaign, this video from the MNPQC highlights the importance of recognizing mental health as a vital part of perinatal care, right from the start.

Centering Fathers: A Community Approach to Fatherhood

Minnesota fathers share the powerful insights gained from BECC’s Centering Fathers Talking Sessions, where they built the skills to support their families with empathy, respect, and understanding.

Annie’s Story Part 1: A Mother’s Journey From Crisis to Advocacy

Annie’s delivery day took a sudden turn when she suffered an Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE), a rare and life-threatening childbirth complication. By bravely sharing her experience, Annie turns survival into advocacy, raising awareness and reminding all mothers that their stories and their strength matter.

Annie’s Story Part 2: A Mother’s Journey From Crisis to Advocacy

In part 2 of her story, Annie sheds light on the life-changing aftermath, the trauma, the recovery, and the advocacy she now leads to ensure others are not alone and to advance systemic change that supports all mothers after childbirth, physically and emotionally.

Jasmine’s Story: Why Clear Communication Matters

Jasmine recalls the confusion and fear she felt after giving birth to her first son when her questions went unanswered. Her story emphasizes the critical need for clear, compassionate communication during every step of care. Jasmine also shares a powerful message about self-advocacy, encouraging parents to trust their instincts, ask questions, and bring up concerns.

The Bond: Our Babies, Our Voices Podcast

Kiwi Cares, a Minnesota non-profit focused on improving maternal health, published the podcast “The Bond: Our Babies, Our Voices” that highlights birth stories in Minnesota. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Apple Podcasts

The Power of MoMMAs Voices Podcast

MoMMAs Voices (Maternal Mortality & Morbidity Advocates) is a national maternal health patient advocacy organization centering patient voices to improve perinatal healthcare. In The Power of MoMMAs Voices Podcast, MNPQC Patient Family Partner Trinity Lueder shares her lived experience with early pregnancy loss related to a rare blood disorder. Tune in for an honest conversation that highlights resilience, awareness, and the power of patient voices.

Listen to Trinity’s Story

Perinatal health Professionals Supporting families

Minnesota Perinatal Health Professionals share their insights on supporting families, not only as providers, doulas, and community advocates, but also as individuals with lived experiences that inform their care. This Perinatal Health Professional Spotlight series highlights the importance of advocacy, effective communication, and building trusting relationships.

Provider Interview: Dr. Enid Yvette Rivera-Chiauzzi

“Throughout my career, both as an OBGYN and as a woman who has birthed three children, I have witnessed firsthand how breakdowns in communication impact both patients and healthcare professionals. Often, both sides can feel unheard or misunderstood, which can create frustration and erode trust. True communication cannot happen unless there is genuine listening on both sides—it’s a partnership rooted in empathy and mutual respect.” – Dr. Enid Yvette Rivera-Chiauzzi

Read Spotlight

Doula Interview: William Moore

“I help clients feel heard and empowered by developing relationships with them grounded in trust, encouraging them to express to me what their thoughts and perceptions are every step along the way. This is important because not only does it allow me to develop a clear sense of what they are experiencing, but how best I can support them. ” – William Moore

Read Spotlight

CDC’s Hear Her Campaign

The CDC’s Hear Her Campaign was launched in response to the high number of deaths in the United States each year due to pregnancy or delivery complications. This initiative spreads critical information about warning signs that could save lives. The campaign provides resources for pregnant or postpartum individuals, their partners, family, and friends, as well as healthcare professionals who support them.

Joanna’s Story

Joanna describes her experience with postpartum preeclampsia after her first pregnancy.

Valencia’s story

Valencia struggled with headaches and dizziness during a difficult first pregnancy. It was her primary care provider who finally helped her get the care she needed.