This toolkit was created as a resource for individuals, family and community members, and any professionals that work with, care for, or are interested in the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum women and birthing people. There are many sources of helpful education and information in existence. We hope this is one of them.
Who is a part of my pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health care team?
Providers:
Obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) — This is a physician, or medical doctor, that can manage low- and high-risk pregnancies. They can be a part of labor, delivery, and postpartum care. OB/GYNs can also perform certain surgical procedures.
Midwives — In New York City (NYC), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs), are independent practitioners that can manage normal pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) — This is an advanced practice registered nurse that specializes in the life-long care of women from adolescence through menopause. They can provide prenatal and postpartum care. They do not manage labor and delivery.
Other Members of the Health Care Team:
Registered Nurse (RN). Nurses provide care from the prenatal to postpartum stages — They monitor mother and fetus/baby, assess vital signs and health, and provide care, support, and education.
Lactation Consultant or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) — This professional specializes in helping breastfeeding parents and babies get started, manage, and troubleshoot issues. They provide techniques, education, and support.
Social Worker (SW) — SW help address your psychosocial needs. They can provide counseling, help navigating systems, and resources and referrals for things like housing and financial assistance.
Non-Medical Support Persons
Doula — A non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. They can support the well-being of the family.
Community Health Worker (CHW) — This is a support person who can help you navigate challenges like transportation, food insecurity, and housing. They can also help with information about your pregnancy including education and coaching. They are often from the community.
My “Village” or other people — This can be any friends, family, or individuals who you identify that can provide the support or assistance you want and need, in the ways that are most important to you.
You may see these roles within a hospital, birth center, clinic, home-visiting program, or community health center.
General Maternal Health Resources
Health and Social Needs
findhelp. org — Allows you to search for free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more by zip code
MAMA LOVE — A resource to help birthing people (and their family or friends) identify health symptoms that may require additional medical attention, and receive education
Irth App (“Birth without bias”) — App that provides prenatal, birthing, postpartum and pediatric reviews of care from other Black and brown women. Database from reviews used to improve health systems and care.
National Domestic Violence Hotline — A resource to serve all those affected by any form of relationship abuse. Free. Confidential. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have a Directory of Local Providers where resources and services such as shelter, crisis support, and legal help can be searched by zip code.
- Call the Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Or text “START” to 88788
Mental Health
Postpartum Support International — Promotes awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing through offering like education, classes, online support groups, directory for providers, and connection to experts
- Call the HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773 (#1 En Español or #2 English)
- Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN)
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — Provides 24 hour/7-day, free emotional support for feelings of being overwhelmed, depression, or anxiety. Also, resources and referrals for pregnant and postpartum individuals
- Call or Text Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (852-6262)
- English and Spanish are available
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Offers free, live support for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns from a counselor
- Call, Text, or Chat 24/7/365
- English and Spanish available. + Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HoH)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss — Provides a listing of local and national pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant loss, and premature birth supports and resources.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline — Free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. They also have a resource allowing you to search for treatment for mental and substance use disorders
- Call 1-800- 662- HELP (4357)
- Available in English and Spanish
Cultural Resources
Listen to Me — A documentary that explores birth, care, and community through the lived experiences of Black women and birthing people. The website also has a resources page.
Aftershock — This film uses the personal stories of two families to talk about the birth justice movement that is demanding systemic change within our medical system and government. The website also gives ways to act.
How Can We Solve the Black Maternal Health Crisis? — A podcast series that explains the maternal health crisis and what can be done to address it. The webpage also lists community-based organization resources and suggestions for further reading.
Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant!: The Ultimate Guide to Black Pregnancy & Motherhood by Shanicia Boswell — This book is a guide for pregnant Black women, discussing pregnancy stages, labor, motherhood using interviews, stories, and advice.
Body Belly Soul: The Black Mother’s Guide to a Primal, Peaceful, and Powerful Birth by Nicole Bailey — A personal story and guide for preparation with checklists and common scenarios.
New York State Resources
*Please note, while the following are state run-programs, they are federally funded which means there is likely a version of the program in your state. Details and eligibility may vary.
Medicaid and Child Health Plus (CHPlus)
New York has a Postpartum Coverage Extension that provides medical coverage beginning on the last day of pregnancy and continues for a full 12 months. This extended coverage applies automatically to eligible individuals, regardless of immigration status or how the pregnancy ends.
WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
A nutrition assistance program for low-income pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and children under five years of age. It provides healthy, supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals. There are no immigration status requirements to participate.
Maternal Health in New York City
*Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of available resources in New York City and the surrounding area. This list was compiled from information available online.
Ancient Song Doula Services/Ancient Song Inc. — Doula services, advocacy
Ashe Birthing Services — Doula services, postpartum meals
The Bridge Directory — Directory and resource for families of color formed around a community of professionals dedicated to health equity
The Birthing Place — Operates the “Womb Bus” mobile wellness hub and provides doula and lactation services, counseling, childbirth education
Bronx Defenders Healthy Parents, Healthy Babies (HPHB) program — Support expecting birthing parents with ACS cases; provide supportive counseling, advocacy, service referrals, and psychoeducation
The Bronx Health Link, Inc. — Advocacy, perinatal workshops, doula services
Brooklyn Perinatal Network (BPN) — Doula services; comprehensive maternal and infant support services; many offerings including Maternal Infant Care Initiative (MICI) mental health services
Bx [Re]birth and Progress Collective — Doula services, advocacy, supplies (diapers, wipes, formula)
Church Avenue Merchant Block Association (CAMBA) — Home visiting, doula services, education, support groups. Programs include Moving Mothers’ Health Forward (MMHF) and iCare (Initiating Change Around Reproductive Education).
Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA) — Doula services, breastfeeding and parenting education
Community Health Center of Richmond — Baby Café (breastfeeding and lactation support), parenting classes and workshops
Doulas En Español — Doula services for Hispanic Communities
The New York Foundling’s Mother and Child Program — Residential program for young women who are pregnant or parenting while in foster care face; skills and supports
Healthy Start Brooklyn/By My Side Birth Support program — Federally-funded programs offering pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, breastfeeding, and fatherhood programs and classes
Bronx Healthy Start Program (BxHSP) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Expecting and postpartum support and resources; care, referrals, case management, breastfeeding and parenting education
Queens Healthy Start led by Public Health Solutions — Pregnant and newly parenting home-visiting, education, referrals, fatherhood program
Healthy Families Staten Island with NY Foundling — Home visiting, community support, and child development program for new and expectant families
Hope and Healing Family Center — Diaper bank, birthing/doula services, Brownsville breast milk depot
JustMothers program — Lifestyle counseling and nutrition program for people receiving prenatal care at select hospitals in New York City. (Ask a member of your healthcare team for more information.)
Mama Glow Foundation — Doula services and advocacy
The Mothership NYC — Childbirth classes, doula services
New York City Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Network (P+ECMHN) — Family, parent-child, and individual therapies offered in-person or virtually. Eligibility: children under 5 and their families, pregnant and postpartum individuals with a behavioral health concern. This city-run program serves all five boroughs with care planning, advocacy, material support, and connection to community-based resources from clinicians and Family Peer Advocates (FPAs) with lived experiences.
One Brooklyn Health — Maternal health care services and special programs like CenteringPregnancy®, home visiting, and HealthySteps
Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership (NMPP) — Offers maternal and early childhood care services through a variety of programs:
- Greater Harlem Healthy Start — GHHS serves women 13 to 44 years old, including pregnant women and parents with a child or children under the age of 18 months.
- Fathers Forward Program (FFP) — Engaging fathers and encourage their increased involvement in their children’s lives
- Perinatal and Infant Community Health Collaboratives — Community health workers
- Community Doula Initiative (CDI) — Free professional doula services for residents of neighborhoods that have been especially affected by COVID-19
- Healthy Families Central Harlem — In-home support during pregnancy through early childhood
- Greater Harlem Healthy Start — Pregnancy planning, nutrition, and more
- Birth Justice Defenders — Network of community residents who educate their communities about rights, and advocate for pregnant women and dignified birth experiences. This initiative is a collaboration with NYCHDOMH, with NMPP serving as the hub for the Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island BJDs.
Maternal Health Outside of New York
Oshun Family Center (Philadelphia, PA area) — Holistic wellness practice supporting maternal health through doula services and lactation support as well as mental health psychotherapy and fertility support
Change of HEART (Based at Temple University) — Community-engaged research study sponsoring anti-racism trainings, workshops and groups for select clinicians and staff
Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center (Washington, DC area) — Nationally accredited Birth Center and healthcare services for the entire family with a special focus on serving pregnant parents and their babies. Community of Hope offers midwifery care, CenteringPregnancy®, home visiting, sexual health and family planning, and the 24/7 Dads program.
Chicago South Side Birth Center (Chicago, Il area) — A non-profit, independent, midwife-led Birth Center offering education and events
Atlanta Birth Center (Atlanta, GA area) — Holistic program offering midwifery care, childbirth services, and women’s support groups. Atlanta Birth Center offers classes and groups on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as postpartum and parenting. Fathers/non-birthing parents are welcome.