Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Communities

This April, we took time to recognize Black Maternal Health Week (April 11 to 17), a meaningful opportunity to uplift, support, and celebrate Black mothers and birthing people in our community.

In honor of the week, our team joined the Uplifting Birth Equity event at Niagara Falls Convention Center. We were excited to be a sponsor of this event, led by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, and to spend time connecting with community members. We shared information about the doula care benefit and the importance of mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum. It was a great opportunity to have conversations, answer questions, and connect people with resources.

Black maternal health disparities remain a serious concern in the United States. Black women continue to face higher rates of pregnancy related complications and are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women. Addressing these outcomes means building care systems that listen, respond, and meet families where they are with consistent and respectful support.

One positive intervention to support healthier births is the use of a doula. Studies show that people who receive support from a doula are 39% less likely to have a cesarean birth and 15% more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth. They are also more likely to report a positive birth experience. Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support, helping individuals feel more confident and supported throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

Through our Maternal Health Program, funded by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, we offer monthly parenting support groups for those who are pregnant, postpartum, or parenting. These groups are a space to connect, share, and feel supported, and each session is led by a licensed mental health therapist. Dates and registration can be found here. We welcome anyone interested to sign up and attend!

We are proud to be part of this work and grateful for the opportunity to support families in our community. We will continue showing up, celebrating mothers and birthing people, and doing what we can to help create healthier, more supported journeys for all!