North Country PhotoVoice Project
WOMB is proud to be the Community Partner of this project which is using Photovoice and participatory action research (PAR) to achieve it's objectives. Photovoice is a qualitative research process through which people with lived experience of a challenge represent their lives, points of view, and experiences through photographic practice. PAR shifts the focus of knowledge to participants, improving the effectiveness of solutions by incorporating expert, lived perspectives and empowering participants to make change in their communities.
Pregnant or 0-5 years postpartum
&
interested in sharing your experiences using photography!?
Help us make a difference by sharing your lived experiences with us and your peers in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment.
Call or email the study team with questions or to sign-up over the phone.
877-357-9662
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The Lived Experience of Accessing Maternity Care in New Hampshire: A Participatory Action Research Project using Photography
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We have worked with people who are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last five years and who wanted to share their experiences with others using photography. No photography experience was necessary! As a co-researcher, everyone was taught everything they needed to know.
FIVE KEY THEMES FROM Participants-researchers…
1.Make compromises and find creative solutions while making decisions about maternity care by balancing quality and access,
2.Experience a mismatch between needs/preferences and services available,
3.Feel unheard and actively advocate for their preferred maternity care,
4.Experience isolation especially in the postpartum period and during pregnancy loss, and;
5.Thriving in motherhood and building resilience even in the face of challenges
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Study Team & Supporting Partners
The study team is comprised of several professionals passionate about improving maternity care for marginalized populations in rural communities.Funding for this project has been provided by The Dartmouth Institute (TDI) and several other state, federal, and local sources are being sought to expand this photovoice work throughout the state.
This is a project in partnership with The Dartmouth Institute, Gesiel School of Medicine, Darthmouth Health’s Community & Family Medicine Department, North Country Maternity Network, and NH’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Preliminary results from the project will be showcased at this falls Northern New England Perinatal Quaillty Improvement Network conference. Participant-Researchers will also be helping plan a photo exhibit to be hosted at next springs Maternal Health Summit in partnership with NH-PQC and throughout several north country locations in partnership with NCMN.​​
