Campaign Overview

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and Black and indigenous women die from pregnancy-related causes at 2-3 times the rate of white women. The Health Initiative launched the Maternal Health Equity Initiative to provide comprehensive prenatal care, birth support, and postpartum services to reduce maternal and infant mortality in underserved communities.

The Maternal Health Crisis

Barriers to prenatal care—lack of insurance, transportation, childcare, language barriers, and systemic racism in healthcare—lead to delayed or absent prenatal care. This increases risks of complications, preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal death. We can and must do better.

Comprehensive Maternal Health Services

Prenatal Care (Full Pregnancy)

• Early prenatal visit (confirmation, dating ultrasound, initial screening)
• Regular prenatal checkups (monthly first trimester, bi-weekly second trimester, weekly third trimester)
• Comprehensive prenatal testing (genetic screening, glucose testing, Group B Strep, etc.)
• Ultrasounds at 8 weeks, 20 weeks, and as medically needed
• Blood pressure monitoring and preeclampsia screening
• Nutrition counseling and prenatal vitamin provision
• Mental health screening (depression, anxiety)
• High-risk pregnancy management and specialist referrals when needed

Prenatal Education & Support

• Childbirth preparation classes (8-week series)
• Breastfeeding education and lactation consultant support
• Newborn care classes
• Partner/family support classes
• Labor and delivery expectations
• Postpartum preparation
• Car seat safety and installation

Birth Support

• Doula support (prenatal visits, labor support, postpartum visits)
• Hospital tour and birth plan development
• Coordination with hospital for delivery
• 24/7 on-call support during labor
• Advocacy during birth
• Immediate postpartum support

Postpartum Care (Up to 12 Months)

• Postpartum checkups at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
• Postpartum depression and anxiety screening
• Breastfeeding support and lactation consulting
• Infant weight checks and feeding assessments
• Family planning counseling and contraception
• Connection to pediatric care for baby
• Mental health counseling as needed
• Support groups for new mothers
• Home visits for high-risk mothers

Wraparound Support Services

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program enrollment
• SNAP (food stamps) application assistance
• Medicaid enrollment for pregnancy
• Housing assistance referrals
• Domestic violence screening and support
• Substance use screening and treatment referrals
• Transportation assistance to appointments
• Childcare during appointments
• Diapers, formula, and baby supplies
• Parenting support and education

Who We Serve

Pregnant women without insurance or with Medicaid, low-income expectant mothers, immigrant women, young mothers (teens and early 20s), women with high-risk pregnancies, women with limited prenatal care, and any pregnant woman in need of comprehensive support.

Addressing Health Disparities

Culturally Competent Care

• Bilingual staff and interpretation services
• Cultural brokers who understand community customs and beliefs
• Respect for traditional practices alongside medical care
• Diverse staff reflecting the communities we serve

Addressing Racism in Healthcare

• Implicit bias training for all staff
• Patient advocacy and belief of patients’ reported symptoms
• Doula support as patient advocates during birth
• Hospital partnerships with accountability for equitable care
• Data tracking and transparency on maternal outcomes by race/ethnicity

Campaign Impact (May 2024 – April 2025 projected)

• 180 pregnant women enrolled in comprehensive prenatal care
• 95% received first trimester prenatal care (vs. 65% baseline in target community)
• 170 women received doula support during birth
• 160 babies born to program participants
• 100% of moms received postpartum care (vs. 40% baseline)
• 92% of moms continued care through 12 months postpartum
• 85% of moms initiated breastfeeding
• 0 maternal deaths (compared to expected 0.3 deaths based on national rates)
• 3% preterm birth rate (vs. 10% in target community baseline)
• 97% healthy birth weight babies (vs. 88% baseline)

Health Outcomes

• Significant reduction in preterm births
• Lower rates of low birth weight babies
• Reduced C-section rates (28% vs. 32% national average)
• Higher breastfeeding initiation and continuation
• Reduced postpartum depression (early detection and treatment)
• Zero maternal mortality (compared to expected rates)
• High patient satisfaction and trust in healthcare system

How Funds Were Used

• 40% – Prenatal care (visits, testing, ultrasounds)
• 25% – Doula services
• 20% – Postpartum care and lactation support
• 10% – Education programs and materials
• 5% – Wraparound services (transportation, supplies)

Campaign Results: SUCCESSFUL

Goal: $200,000 | Raised: $208,500 (104% of goal)

Foundation grants focused on maternal health equity, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and healthcare system partnerships allowed us to fully fund the first year of the program. The program continues with ongoing support.

Mother & Baby Stories

“I didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford prenatal care with my first baby. He was born premature. With this program, I got care from the beginning. My daughter was born full-term and healthy. The doula held my hand through labor. I felt cared for and safe.” – Young mother

“I had high blood pressure and the program caught it early. They monitored me closely and connected me to a specialist. Because of their care, my baby and I are both healthy. They saved us.” – First-time mom with preeclampsia

“As a Black woman, I was scared about giving birth because of the statistics. Having a doula advocate for me and doctors who listened to me made all the difference. I felt heard, believed, and cared for.” – Mother of two

Healthcare Provider Perspectives

“Early and consistent prenatal care makes all the difference. When we see women from the beginning, we can prevent complications and ensure healthy outcomes. This program is saving lives.” – Dr. Diana Nieves, MD, Chief Medical Officer

Program Sustainability & Expansion

The success of the first year has led to:

• Ongoing funding secured for Year 2
• Expansion to serve 250 pregnant women annually
• Addition of group prenatal care model (Centering Pregnancy)
• Partnership with local hospital for improved continuity of care
• Training program for community doulas from underserved communities
• Research partnership to track long-term maternal and child health outcomes

The Vision

Every pregnant woman deserves comprehensive, respectful, culturally competent care. Every baby deserves the healthiest possible start. The Maternal Health Equity Initiative is proving that when we provide wraparound support and address social determinants of health, we can eliminate disparities and ensure healthy outcomes for all mothers and babies.