Miracle Allen rubs her stomach as she relaxes before meeting with the midwife at Sisters in Birth, a Jackson, Miss., clinic that serves pregnant women, Dec. 17, 2021. The clinic utilizes an integrative and holistic approach to women's healthcare by providing comprehensive services including primary care, midwifery care, home healthcare, childbirth education as well as doula support.
Rogelio V. Solis / AP Photo
Rogelio V. Solis / AP Photo
Miracle Allen rubs her stomach as she relaxes before meeting with the midwife at Sisters in Birth, a Jackson, Miss., clinic that serves pregnant women, Dec. 17, 2021. The clinic utilizes an integrative and holistic approach to women's healthcare by providing comprehensive services including primary care, midwifery care, home healthcare, childbirth education as well as doula support.
AIRED; December 17, 2025
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Expecting a baby is stressful under the best of circumstances, but financial uncertainty can make it even harder. Ali Groves, Associate Professor at Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health and Research Chair of the Mothers and Infants Cash Coalition, has spent years studying how cash transfers can improve reproductive and maternal health outcomes. “Health isn’t just about the doctors and hospitals we visit,” Groves explains. “It’s about all these other aspects of our lives, like how much money we earn, the home we live in, and the food we feed our families.” For expecting mothers, financial stress can impact not only their own health but also the development of their babies.
Groves notes that the past few years have been particularly challenging for pregnant individuals in Philadelphia. “Financial stress is one of the major stressors that expected parents face during pregnancy,” she says. “It can be hard to pay rent, cover utilities, or even afford healthy food. These pressures can affect birth outcomes and overall health.” Programs like SNAP and WIC help, but administrative barriers and potential government shutdowns create uncertainty for families relying on these benefits.
One local initiative aiming to fill these gaps is the Philly Joy Bank. Started by a community coalition, it provides selected expectant parents with $1,000 a month from the second trimester through the first year postpartum. “The purpose of the Philly Joy Bank is to reduce financial stress and provide more joy during and after pregnancy,” Groves says. Importantly, the funds are unconditional, allowing families to use the money where they need it most, from transportation to groceries to housing.
Groves emphasizes that flexibility is critical. “Families know where they need to allocate their money,” she explains. “For one family, it might be food. Another might use it for housing or gas to get to work or doctor’s appointments. The research shows families primarily use the money for basic needs, not indulgences.” This approach not only supports physical health but also mental well-being, enabling parents to focus on bonding with their child and preparing for a healthier future.
Early results from the Philly Joy Bank are promising. In one evaluation method, participants share photos of how the funds impact their lives. Groves shares one story: a mother was able to take her older son to a Halloween trunk-or-treat without financial worry. “It brought her great joy and reduced stress,” Groves says. As researchers continue to track outcomes, initiatives like this highlight the potential of local programs to make a meaningful difference when federal programs fall short.
