Women pose for a photo during a workout at Daily Mix Nutrition Store in Avondale on September 24, 2024. (Photo by Nicolette Valenzuela/Cronkite News)
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PHOENIX – “Can I skip straight to the empowerment session?” someone shouts from the crowd in a small, dimly lit store lit with fluorescent pink lights. “Empowerment Sessions” gather more than 30 participants every Tuesday night at the Daily Mix Nutrition Store in Avondale.
After battling postpartum depression, the shop’s owner, Jormheri Munguia, and female transformation coach Jenny Parra recently started offering women’s empowerment workouts.
“I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. … They immediately provide medicine like here, and if you take this medicine, you will feel better,” Parra said.
Parra added that while medications may be a quick-acting treatment for depression, they eventually wear off and have no lasting impact. “I truly feel that if you feed your body properly, take care of it, and move it, your body will heal,” Parra said.
While the World Health Organization defines maternal death as a death that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) We track and report all deaths within. or within one year after the end of pregnancy.
“I remember not being able to take care of myself and falling into postpartum depression, or baby blues. It was very mild… Once I practiced proper nutrition, I decided to join the community of Herbalife. I felt empowered,” Munguia said.
Munguia said she lost weight and gained clarity and understanding, which ultimately helped her change her mindset. “If we get better, our families will get better,” Munguia said.
The United States leads the developed world in maternal deaths, and Arizona ranks 11th in the country, according to 2018-2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
From September 24th to September 24th, the women at Dairy Mix Nutrition store in Avondale are preparing for a women’s empowerment workout program. (Photo by Nicollette Valenzuela/Cronkite News)
“In Arizona, maternal mental health has been the leading cause of maternal mortality in the past two reports, a consistent trend,” said MMRC member Elizabeth Wood. According to the ADHS report, the next highest contributing factor is substance use disorders, and the majority of these deaths are preventable.
This year, the CDC increased grant funding from $450,000 to $570,000 annually over a five-year commitment to reduce pregnancy-related deaths. This funding will help ADHS connect with affected families, speed up the case identification and review process, and share prevention resources.
“The purpose of this program is to fund maternal mortality review committees, and…one of our goals is to maintain and improve the diversity of maternal death review committees,” ADHS said. said Mary Glidden, director of the death investigation office.
The odds of surviving pregnancy and childbirth vary by race and ethnicity across the United States, and Arizona is no exception. American Indians and Alaska Natives were the most affected population in the state, with a reported 233.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. This ratio is 166.8 for black women, 80.1 for whites, and 72 for Hispanics.
“Nationally, Black women and Native American women have disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, and this disparity is certainly reflected in Arizona. It will help us expand the discussions we are having and make strong recommendations aimed at meaningfully involving communities in prevention efforts,” Glidden said.
The majority of pregnancy-related deaths occur in rural areas in the northern, western, and eastern regions of the state, which are home to many of the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes. According to the ADHS report, a total of 228.9 deaths were reported for every 100,000 live births in the above regions. Maternity care services are not available in these areas of the state.
From September 24th to September 24th, the women at Dairy Mix Nutrition store in Avondale are preparing for a women’s empowerment workout program. (Photo by Nicollette Valenzuela/Cronkite News)
“A lot of hospitals are closing because they don’t feel like they’re going to have enough obstetricians and gynecologists and they can’t afford malpractice insurance. “You’re stuck an hour and a half away from the hospital,” said Steve Calvin, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal-fetal medicine at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix. .
Overall, ADHS reported 43 maternal deaths in 2018-2019, increasing the maternal mortality rate by almost half compared to the previous two years.
Not only do local hospitals have limited funding, but states lack the resources to conduct comprehensive research on maternal mental health. “There is not a single study on perinatal mental health that is specific to Arizona,” Wood said. Wood said mental health providers are not reflective of the people they serve and are misleading. It’s about being heard and understanding about the culture they come from and who they are as people. ”
Back at the Daily Mix Nutrition Shop, the ladies are celebrating completing a 21-day challenge with two participants. One lost 12 pounds and the other 10, and both said they felt “amazing” and “loved it.” “This community is for you,” said workshop coach Parra, to applause and cheers.
Parra said no one should have to go through this journey alone. “I feel like it’s not talked about enough. Many people struggle with their mental health and are either afraid to talk about it or feel like they have to go through it alone. I feel like (by) creating space, I want women to feel like, “Hey, I’m here for you, whatever you need is here.” The reverse is also true. ”
