Resources - In progress
This section is going to contain resources in the following areas: Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum, Pregnancy Loss, and Infertility. Clink on artwork for additional information.
Pregnancy Resources

The information provided on this website is not to replace your healthcare needs. Please seek care of healthcare professionals: midwives, nurses, doulas, nurse practitioners, and other medical providers. Lucinda's House was not created to make healthcare decisions for you. Our goal is to offer guidance and support to empower you to make informed decisions about your care.
Black Maternal Health

Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action to improving Black maternal health. Everyone can play a role in working to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and improve maternal health outcomes.
Having the right team of healthcare providers is an essential part of receiving the care that you need, so it is important that you have a good relationship with healthcare providers. This relationship needs to be built on trust and respect. They need to understand your needs and provide nonjudgmental support throughout your pregnancy. If you do not feel comfortable with your provider, you have the right to change providers. Any interaction with healthcare professionals during prenatal visits, you should leave feeling listened to, safe, cared for, and that all your questions and concerns have been addressed. If you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, seek guidance from someone that you trust.
Members of the Maternal Healthcare Team:
Midwives
Obstetricians
Family Physicians
Nurse practitioners
Nurses
Doulas
Nutritionists
Lactation consultants
Community health workers
Mental Health Providers
Genetic Counselors
Ultrasonographers
Healthcare providers can:

- Ask questions to better understand their patient and things that may be affecting their lives.
- Help patients, and those accompanying them, understand the urgent maternal warning signs and when to seek medical attention right away.
- Use their physical assessment skills to evaluate their patient's concerns.
- Order laboratory tests and procedures based on their patient's history and physical assessment.
- Help patients manage chronic conditions or conditions that may arise during pregnancy like hypertension, diabetes, or depression.
- Recognize and work to eliminate unconscious bias in themselves and in their office on an ongoing basis.
- Take an anti-racist approach to provide care to racialized communities. Understand the role of history and influence on the delivery of healthcare.
- Respond to any concerns patients may have.
- Provide all patients with respectful quality care.
Websites for additional information related to racial disparities and maternal mortality:
- CDC Hear Her Campaign
- CDC Maternal and Infant Health
- Maternal Mortality
- CDC Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2020
- CDC Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System
- CDC Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 36 US States, 2017–2019
- CDC Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths - United States, 2007-2016
- CDC Vital Signs: Pregnancy-Related Deaths, United States, 2011-2015 and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013-2017
- CDC COVID-19 and Pregnant People
- HHS Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Maternal Health Care
Online Resources that Educate and Empower
National Association to Advance Black Birth: BLACK BIRTHING BILL OF RIGHTS
https://thenaabb.org/black-birthing-bill-of-rights/
CDC Hear Her Campaign
https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/index.html
Dr. Shalon's Maternal Action Project
Every Mother Counts
Centering Humanity: The Black Birth Experience
Maternal health equity
Advocacy and Policy
We continue to hear news about poor health outcomes among Black women and other women of color. This information creates fear and uncertainty. We already have what we need to have a safe, enjoyable pregnancy and birthing experience. There are community members and organizations are working towards understanding racial disparities and promoting maternal health equity. Here are some organizations.
Organizations promoting advocacy, policy and empowerment of birthing people:
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)
SisterSong
Commonsense Childbirth
https://commonsensechildbirth.org/
Maternal Health Learning & Innovation Center™
https://maternalhealthlearning.org/about/
National Black Midwives Alliance
https://blackmidwivesalliance.org
Perinatal Health Equity Initiative
https://www.perinatalequity.org/
International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization
The National Association to Advance Black Birth
Sista Midwife Productions
