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Black Maternal Health Victories Black women have been at risk to experience maternal mortality in this country since the beginning of history. With mortality rates 3-4x higher than other races, organizations such as The MomBAE Movement have made it their mission to not only bring awareness to the cause but to reduce the number of maternal deaths. As the fight for maternal health equality prevails, we applaud the significant victories such as The Momnibus Act which builds on existing maternal health legislation with 12 bills to address the clinical and nonclinical drivers of the maternal health crisis in the United States comprehensively. In just 2021 Vice President Kamala Harris announced a call of action to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. According to the Administration, these efforts include: a historic $3 billion investment will be made in maternal health, the release of guidelines to help states provide 12 months of continuous postpartum coverage through Medicaid which is up from 60 days, creating a new designation of the quality of maternal health services for US hospitals, Casting Call Details With so many moves to bring awareness to the black maternal healthcare crisis. MomBAE is excited to announce that we are looking for women to cast for a docu-series about Black Maternal Health. This series will be produced by Westbrook Media, founded by Will & Jada Smith. We are looking for black mamas who are: 3-5 months pregnant Reside in Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia Who is experiencing one or more of the following situations: Delivering at a birthing center Delivering in a hospital Utilizing community resources for maternal care Does not trust current OBGYN Actively sought care from a black doctor Switched medical providers due to bias or discrimination Partner validates concerns about not being taken seriously by a doctor Plan on hiring a doula for birth and postpartum care If this is you or someone you know, please email kristenpate.ep@westbrookinc.com Name Contact Info Social Media Links A short message sharing your pregnancy experience so far Women selected will be compensated. *Applications and casting have been closed* Questions or Want to help? please send an email at leesey@mombaeinc.org GET UPDATED WITH OUR FUTURE NEWS AND EVENTS FIRST WHEN YOU JOIN OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER.

What is Black Maternal Health Week? Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action to improving Black maternal health. In addition, many organizations supporting black maternal health have activities and forums and birth justice centered around human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks. The Black Mamas Matter Alliance hosted the first BMHW campaign five years ago. Each year has a theme dedicated to increasing awareness and strengthening the cause. This year's theme is Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families, and Black Systems of Care. During this week of awareness, the BMMA focuses on community building and activism with their plans to: “Deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US; Amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions; Center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders; Provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth, and reproductive justice; and Enhance community organizing on Black maternal health" Why is Black Maternal Health Important? In a country where the maternal mortality rate is astronomical for a developed country, it is evidenced that black women are dying at rates 3-4 times higher than women of other races regardless of education or income level. Additionally, research since the 1990s has shown that racism has hurt the mental and physical health of Black mothers. How can I contribute to the Black Maternal Health Movement? You can contribute to the Black Maternal Health Movement in multiple ways. This week, you can join any of the activities going on during BMHW to further educate yourself on topics that promote birth justice, equality in the healthcare realm, and understanding how underlying racism plays a significant role in contributing to the black maternal mortality rate and the mortality rate for black infants. You can sponsor a doula by contributing to the Black Doula Campaign by The MomBAE Movement, which contributes to increasing the number of black doulas in communities for those who do not have access to maternal care professionals who are culturally sensitive and have the competency to support black mothers and infants during the pregnancy and birthing process. Know a mother who recently had a baby and could use some support? Enroll her in the BAE Support group, where we discuss various topics such as postpartum depression and birth stories, parenting tips, and lifestyle topics such as financial literacy dedicated to helping a mother ensure she is set up for success Volunteer to help contribute to the black maternal health movement. Volunteers allow grassroots organizations like The MomBAE Movement Inc to grow awareness of the black maternal health cause. Being a volunteer can be a rewarding experience and a very flexible way to help our cause with the options for in-person events and virtual. To learn more: About BMHW https://blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw/ White House Proclamation on Black Maternal Health Week https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/13/a-proclamation-on-black-maternal-health-week-2021/ About The MomBAE Movement https://www.mombaeinc.org

How black pregnant women's fight for equality alerts the nation of an issue that has been steadily rising since the '90s Maternal Mortality The United States has prided itself on being “the land of the free” and a safe haven for individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. We have seen the US “defending” human rights around the world for many years. So why are Black mothers being overlooked for not receiving the care they need while being pregnant and when giving birth? The US has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries Sixty percent of maternal deaths are preventable, but continues to increase in the United States. How is it that other high-income countries have a much lower maternal death rate than the United States, better yet, why are we not learning from these countries to lower our pregnancy related death rate? What does maternal mortality mean? First let's get into exactly what is meant by maternal mortality. In the United States there are three commonly used measures of maternal deaths. Pregnancy-associated death: includes death while pregnant or within one year of the end of pregnancy. Pregnancy-related death: death while pregnant or within one year of the end of pregnancy from pregnancy complications, events initiated during pregnancy, or the aggravation of unrelated conditions by physiological effects of pregnancy. Maternal mortality: death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy. Why is it important to raise awareness of the condition of Black maternal health? The United States has prided itself on being “the land of the free” and a safe haven for individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. We have seen the US “defending” human rights around the world for many years. So why are Black mothers being overlooked for not receiving the care they need while being pregnant and when giving birth? We believe that every person has the right to receive the health care they need no matter what their ethnic background is. We all have the right to be healthy and to live a life of the same quality. This is why we are advocating for the Black mothers who are dying when giving birth even in today’s equipped hospitals and with access to high-quality health care. Recent studies have revealed that even with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal put in place to reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2015, the estimated maternal mortality rate for 48 States and Washington DC has increased from 2000 to 2014 by 26.6%. Moreover, it is evidenced that black women are dying 3 to 4 times more than white women regardless of their income or education level. Furthermore, according to the information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016, black babies are dying 2.3 times more than white babies. If we look back into history, it is estimated that the mortality rate of black babies was only 1.6 times higher than that of white children in 1850. This figure proves that the situation is getting worse despite having access to nowadays high quality health care system. So what is the cause of death in Black mothers and their children? Why are they dying more often than their white counterparts? Since the 1990s, research on maternal and infant death disparities has been carried out with findings that racism is one of the underlying issues having a bad effect on the mental and physical health of Black mothers. This together with the racial discrimination practiced by medical institutions is leaving Black mothers helpless at the most crucial and sensitive time of their lives - pregnancy. For example, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance noted that Black mothers have self-reported that their painful symptoms are being ignored or underestimated by doctors stating that such conditions are normal during prenatal or postpartum period. These Black women are then leaving hospitals without getting the help they need which very often leads to death. However, it is reported by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that in most cases such death can be prevented by a timely intervention of a healthcare provider. What can we do to decrease the mortality rate of Black women and children? This concerning situation requires changes at both the institutional and societal level. It is necessary to adopt policies that will prevent this from happening. Medical staff should for example follow strict guidelines when providing healthcare to patients which includes enforcing discrimination against patients of different skin color. Healthcare institutions could also work alongside specialists on racism to learn how racial discrimination can be prevented on the side of doctors. Fortunately, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced during the Black Maternal Health Week on 13 April 2021 the first actions to be taken to help solve the Black Maternal Health Crisis. One of the solutions offered is the establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council which will amongst others strive for gender equality and increased access to quality health care. Such support from the Federal Government is crucial. However, implementation of these actions into practice will take some time and we will see their results only in the future. But what can be done now to protect our black mothers? The Medical News Today published an article in June 2021 offering the following suggestions: Select a doctor who respects other cultures. Educate yourself about the serious health conditions you might experience during the prenatal and postpartum period and learn to recognize their symptoms (such as preeclampsia - rise in blood pressure and swelling and postpartum bleeding called hemorrhage). If you feel that your doctor is not taking your symptoms seriously, seek help from a different healthcare provider. If your financial situation does not allow you to get high-quality prenatal and postpartum care, try to get financial help from the two governmental programmes - Medicare and Medicaid. Ask your doctor to keep written records related to your health conditions especially if the doctor is ignoring your symptoms or refuses to provide you with the treatment you believe you need. Ask your doctor to record your visits which might increase the accountability of your practitioner. These recommendations might be helpful, but we believe that racial discrimination has to be stopped at the entire society level and The MomBAE Movement Inc. will do everything possible to bring awareness to this issue.

POSTPARTUM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Welcome to our postpartum assistance program, designed to support new mothers and their families during the fourth trimester. The MomBAE Movement Inc understands the challenges and difficulties that come with adjusting to life with a newborn, and we are here to help. ​ Our program provides a range of services that aim to ease the transition and improve the well-being of new mothers. Our volunteers offer emotional and practical support, education, and resources to assist with postpartum recovery and infant care. We also provide referrals to other community resources when necessary. ​ If you or someone you know can benefit from the PAP please register here. Want to help offer support? VOLUNTEER HERE

Mission Statement The MomBAE Movement Inc is dedicated to reducing the number of black maternal deaths in the US by improving mother's rights education and increasing access to culturally sensitive healthcare. ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair maternal healthcare, for everyone. Vision Statement LEARN MORE DONATE 3-4 TIMES 60 PERCENT 71 DEATHS more likely to die from maternal related deaths than women of other races of maternal deaths are per 100,000 live births resulting in deaths in our nation's capital, DC. BLACK WOMEN PREVENTABLE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL The MomBAE Movement Inc provides comfort, support, and resources to maternal health patients and their families. CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Are you lacking support during your postpartum period? Get help from our Postpartum Assistance Program LEARN MORE SUPPORT GROUPS Support groups are a great way to connect with people who may share a similar experience. Join US DO YOU HAVE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION? Download Guide Download our free Guide "Baby's Here, Why Am I Depressed?" For Signs to look for and tips to help you through your journey GET INVOLVED, JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Working virtually and on the ground, our global network of “Angels” come together each and every day to support the military community. Unique volunteer opportunities, such as sewing and baking, as well as in-person events like food distributions, mean that we have volunteer opportunities to match every personality, availability, and ability. APPLY HERE LEARN MORE

JOIN US! POSITION TITLE: VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR VOLUNTEER TIME: 20-25 HRS A MONTH REQUIREMENTS: Passion for the mission: The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for supporting mothers and promoting their well-being. Understanding the challenges faced by mothers and having a strong desire to make a positive impact on their lives will be essential. Organizational and interpersonal skills: As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will be responsible for managing multiple tasks simultaneously and coordinating with diverse individuals. Strong organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills are crucial to effectively fulfill the role. Communication skills: Clear and effective communication is vital when working with volunteers and other team members. Excellent written and verbal communication skills will be necessary to convey information, provide guidance, and build relationships. Flexibility and adaptability: Nonprofit organizations often face dynamic environments and changing priorities. The ability to adapt quickly, embrace new challenges, and find creative solutions will be valued in this role. Experience with platforms such as ClickUP, Zoom are a plus; training provided RESPONSIBILTIES Assist in the development and implementation of volunteer programs: You will collaborate with the team to create and refine volunteer programs that align with the organization's mission and goals. Your creativity and strategic thinking will be essential in designing impactful initiatives that engage and empower volunteers. Oversee volunteer retention: Building a strong volunteer community is key to the success of any nonprofit organization. You will work closely with volunteers, providing support, recognition, and feedback to foster long-term commitment and satisfaction. Training of volunteers: As the Volunteer Coordinator, you will organize and conduct training sessions to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill their roles effectively. You will ensure that all volunteers are well-prepared and confident in their responsibilities. Coordinate volunteer tasks: You will be responsible for assigning and delegating volunteer tasks based on their skills, interests, and availability. Efficiently managing the allocation of volunteers' time and resources will be crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of various programs and events. Collaborate with committee/program members: Effective coordination requires close collaboration with different stakeholders. You will work closely with committee members and program leaders to align volunteer efforts with organizational objectives, ensuring a cohesive and impactful approach. Maintain volunteer communication: Building and maintaining strong lines of communication with volunteers is essential. You will utilize various communication channels, such as emails, newsletters, and social media, to provide updates, share opportunities, and express gratitude for volunteers' contributions. APPLY NOW