NASHVILLE, TN – In a city often recognized for its music and culture, a quieter movement is making life-changing noise. Nashville Strong Babies is a maternal and infant wellness program that has just celebrated one year of county-wide expansion, and with it, a stunning success: 516 families served and zero maternal or infant deaths reported among participants.
In a state with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, this program is being hailed as a model for what compassionate, community-rooted care can accomplish. But despite its impact, the future of Strong Babies is anything but secure.
Launched as a pilot in 2022, Nashville Strong Babies scaled up in 2024 with a mission to improve birth outcomes for Black mothers and other marginalized groups most at risk. The program offers free access to doulas, nutrition coaching, mental health counseling, transportation assistance, and postpartum support.
“More Nashville children are able to celebrate their first birthday,” said Mayor Freddie O’Connell in a statement this month. “And more importantly, every mother that participated in the Strong Babies program has survived.”
At a time when Tennessee ranks in the bottom five U.S. states for maternal health equity, Nashville’s achievement is both rare and remarkable.
The success, experts say, comes from providing continuous, wraparound care during pregnancy and the critical postpartum window, especially for mothers who often fall through the cracks.
“It’s about trusting relationships,” said Maya Hall, a Nashville-based doula with the program. “Many of the families we work with don’t feel heard in traditional healthcare settings. We’re there to advocate, educate, and walk with them every step.”
Each family is paired with a doula or support coach, who helps with prenatal appointments, birth plans, healthy eating guidance, stress management, and even navigating Medicaid.
Tamika Johnson, a 27-year-old mother of two from North Nashville, credits the program with helping her stay healthy—and hopeful—during a high-risk pregnancy.
“I didn’t know how much I needed support until I had it. My doula made me feel like I wasn’t alone. She helped me with food planning, talked me through anxiety, and was even there when I went into labor.”
Beyond childbirth, Strong Babies Nashville intersects directly with Nashville’s fitness and wellness ecosystem. Many of the services provided focus on movement, nutrition, and mental well-being—three pillars Nashville’s health professionals champion every day.
Dr. Chelsea Thomas, a local prenatal fitness expert and physical therapist, applauds the holistic approach:
“Movement is medicine, especially during pregnancy,” she said. “This program empowers women to stay active, nourished, and mentally strong—and that has a huge ripple effect on long-term family wellness.”
Some gyms and studios, like Iron Lotus Wellness in East Nashville, have begun offering free or low-cost prenatal yoga and postnatal movement classes in partnership with community programs like Strong Babies.
“We’ve seen moms regain confidence in their bodies after childbirth,” said studio owner Rachel Ingram. “These partnerships are where fitness meets real, lifesaving public health.”
Despite its success, the future of Nashville Strong Babies is uncertain. Federal pandemic era grants helped fund the 2024 expansion, but those dollars are drying up—and local leaders fear that without renewed investment, the program’s gains could be lost.
“This is a lifeline for families,” said Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda. “It’s not just about equity—it’s about survival. We need permanent funding, not patchwork grants.”
Advocates are urging Metro Nashville and the state to make the program a permanent fixture of public health, citing cost savings in emergency care, lower NICU admissions, and long-term community well-being.
As Nashville Fit Magazine readers and wellness professionals, there are powerful ways to support this movement:
Donate prenatal supplies to local community clinics.
Partner with doulas or Strong Babies Nashville coordinators to offer nutrition, fitness, or postpartum care services.
Use your platform to elevate Black maternal health awareness.
Follow them on Instagram or visit their website to learn more and partner with a much-needed organization in the heart of Nashville.
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