Why I Created Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy

Last year, I made the very difficult decision to leave my OBGYN practice to transition to a job that would allow more time for my family. The change took some time to adjust to — I desperately missed working in women's health — but the time I gained back with my husband and young children with the new job was priceless!

Well, less than 6 months into that new job, that very position was eliminated due to a company-wide restructuring. Oh, I was so disheartened, but what sustained me was my faith. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God instructed me to take that position, and ultimately knew that I would lose it. Losing that job helped me realize what's important — my family, my faith, and making a meaningful difference in the world.

Years prior, I had dreamt of starting a postpartum advocacy practice/business, but I left it at that — a dream. But it all changed with one encouraging conversation with a good friend, and newly unemployed, I knew the dream had to become a reality.

The state-level maternal health statistics are quite appalling. As of the most recent state data, SC has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. When I worked in clinical practice, I did my best to educate not only my patients, but their families and nursing staff, on maternal warning signs and the seriousness of them.

I had a case when a birthing mom presented for a blood pressure check a few days after birth. As I was reviewing her blood pressure reading, I noticed swelling in her legs. Leg swelling can be an expected finding due to fluid volume shifts, but what stood out was that one lower leg was mildly larger than the other. She calmly agreed to have a diagnostic test looking for a blood clot. It was scheduled within a few hours that same day, and I was called with the result that it was positive. I was then able to help her get the treatment she needed. Close follow-up, recognizing a subtle change, and acting promptly helped prevent what could have become a much more serious situation.

Details of this case were changed to protect patient privacy.

It's stories like this that remind me of the difference it can make to place eyes on patients after hospital discharge. Our healthcare system is filled with incredible professionals who care deeply for their patients, but the realities of modern healthcare don't always allow for additional visits, extended time, or continued support between appointments. And yet, those days and weeks after birth can be some of the most vulnerable and overwhelming for a mother.

That's the gap Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy was created to help fill.

M&E offers mothers the reassurance of having an experienced, clinically trained maternal advocate in their corner — someone who can listen, educate, recognize when something may need attention, help them prepare for conversations with their healthcare team, and support them as they navigate the postpartum journey.

I created M&E because I want to make a small but meaningful contribution toward improving maternal health in our community. I want to support mothers in a way that isn't limited by the complexities of healthcare systems and insurance structures.

Most of all, I created M&E to be a steady presence during a season when mothers so often spend their energy caring for everyone else — to make sure they, too, feel heard, seen, supported, and empowered.

Disclaimer: This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy, LLC does not diagnose, prescribe, or provide medical treatment, and reading this content does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Every pregnancy and postpartum experience is different, so talk with your own healthcare provider about your symptoms, questions, and care decisions. Information was accurate to the best of our knowledge when published, but guidelines and laws can change. If you or your baby may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call 911 or text 988.