Why We Do It?
The U.S. is facing a maternal health crisis. Today, a woman is twice as likely to die from complications of pregnancy and birth than her mother was a generation ago.
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It is one of the only industrialized nation without paid parental leave, and broad insurance coverage for maternity and mental health services.
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Increased access to paid family leave, doula support, and mental health services allows working mothers, particularly from underserved communities (BIPOC, immigrants, low income) to avoid choosing between caring for their families and keeping their job while saving lives, improving equity, and empowering mothers.
The Problem
23%
US civilian workers had access to paid family leave in 2021.
6 out of 50
U.S. States reimburse doula services under Medicaid (over 40% of U.S. births)
60 days
Of coverage after birth for most state Medicaid programs, impacting communities of color disproportionately.
$$$
Prohibitively high cost of mental health services (upto $250 an hour for therapy)
The Impact
1 in 4
Mothers return to work within 10 days of giving birth due to financial reasons.
6%
Of birthing mothers received doula care (in 2015)
3-4x
The maternal mortality rate of US Black mothers is three to four times higher than that of White mothers.
1 in 5
Mothers experience postpartum mental health disorders like depression. 50% of mothers don't get treated
