Hold My Heart

07/21/2026

What a beautiful evening for a birth class! ✏️

07/19/2026

Absolutely love this new Tree of Life diffuser! So perfect for the birthing space 🌳 🫶

07/19/2026

Health care in the United States is increasingly team-based, and doulas—who often provide emotional, physical, and educational support for patients during birth, the postpartum period, and beyond—are valuable members of many care teams.

ACOG’s new clinical guidance encourages ob-gyn collaboration with doulas and gives ob-gyns the tools they need to better understand a doula’s role. It also highlights the importance of stronger partnerships between clinicians and doulas, which can provide vital support across the lifespan—including during and after pregnancy—and can lead to better patient outcomes.

Read the press release: https://bit.ly/4flN1Eq

03/01/2026

So excited to be getting back to work after maternity leave! Even got to hang out at the office this morning 🥰

01/23/2026

Today is Maternal Health Awareness Day. To mark this occasion, we sat down with Evana Cooper, Virtua Doula, to talk about why maternal health matters — not just today, but every day.

Q: Why is maternal health awareness so important—not just today, but every day?

A: Pregnancy and birth aren’t limited to awareness days — they happen every day. Maternal health is about real people, real families, and real outcomes. Every day matters when it comes to how someone is treated, heard, and supported during one of the most vulnerable times of their life. Your child’s birth can leave a lasting imprint on your family as a day of joy and happiness, but it also has the potential to cause fear and trauma, depending on the circumstances.

Q: What does advocating for your patients look like in your day-to-day work as a doula?

A: Advocating for patients is more than just protecting their birth plan — it’s about protecting their dignity, their choices, and their emotional safety. This can look like helping someone understand their options, making sure their voice is heard, and staying grounded with them when things feel overwhelming.

Q: How do you make sure each patient feels heard, supported, and respected throughout their journey?

A: Feeling safe and respected means everything. I listen first. I meet people where they are, without judgment, and I make sure they know they are allowed to ask questions, take up space, and make informed choices.

Q: What is one thing you want expecting or new parents to know about advocating for themselves during pregnancy and postpartum?

A: You are not ‘too much’ or ‘over the top.’ Your questions matter. Your instincts matter. And you deserve care that honors your voice, every step of the way.

01/18/2026

The Cooperative's Family Connects NJ is delighted to share exciting news: New Jersey’s universal home visiting program, Family Connects NJ, will expand nurse home visits starting January 20, 2026 in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Salem Counties.

This expansion means Family Connects NJ will soon be available in all seven South Jersey counties —and eventually, all 21 counties statewide.

Family Connects NJ offers families the opportunity to receive a free, personalized home visit from a specially trained nurse within the first two weeks after their child’s birth. These visits are available to all families, regardless of income, insurance coverage, immigration status or family structure. This includes adoptive families, resource parents, kinship caregivers and families experiencing stillbirth or neonatal loss.

The immediate postpartum period—often called the fourth trimester—is an exciting yet challenging time for families. New Jersey is committed to supporting families during this transition through Family Connects NJ.

During each visit, nurses conduct a comprehensive assessment of the family's health and wellbeing, serving as an important touchpoint for anticipatory guidance and help fostering stronger communication between families and their medical homes. By making these services universally available, Family Connects NJ aims to improve health outcomes for families across New Jersey.

🌐Learn more about Family Connects NJ by clicking on this link ➡️ https://www.familyconnectsnj.org



New Jersey Department of Children and Families Family Connects International

06/26/2025

03/26/2025

Just one month to go! Join us for an amazing day of connection and fun!

We're about two months away from the South Jersey Baby Expo and we're so excited!!

General vendor registration is still open - reserve your table today!!

sjbabyexpo.com

02/28/2025

We're about two months away from the South Jersey Baby Expo and we're so excited!!

General vendor registration is still open - reserve your table today!!

sjbabyexpo.com

01/06/2025

Share your birth story and make a difference ❤️

📢 Calling all New Jersey parents and soon-to-be parents! 📢

Did you know your birth story could help shape the future of maternal care in our state?

The Power of NJ Birth Stories is listening, and your experience matters. From your first prenatal visit to your postpartum care, every detail helps us create a better future for New Jersey families.

🌐Click on this link to learn more about Power of NJ Birth Stories ➡️ https://familyhealthinitiatives.org/power-of-nj-birth-stories/