Our Mission
& Vision
Our mission is to address maternal health inequities by advancing access to multilingual health information and community-based, peer-to-peer support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
We envision a world where women and birthing people are empowered and supported to successfully navigate the healthcare system and make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
of migrants do not know how to navigate the health system
of pregnant asylum-seekers do not access antenatal care
of migrants do not know their rights to access care
Health Inequities
Migrant women in western European countries have double the risk of dying during or after pregnancy compared with host women, with a higher risk of dying from direct rather than indirect causes, which suggests a possible link with obstetric care.
There are also disparities in the type of experience birthing people have in the delivery room, which can have long-term consequences on both mental and physical health. For example, in Germany, perceived discrimination is related to a higher risk of preterm birth among Turkish immigrant women.
Evidence-Based Solutions
Our approach is grounded in public health research and the lived experiences of community members alike. Evidence consistently highlights the importance of culturally responsive care that involves migrants and their communities in health system planning and development, while facilitating effective communication between patients and practitioners through skilled interpreters and health system navigators.
Maternity Peer Supporters (sometimes referred to as “doulas”) are an evidence-based solution that help alleviate some of the risk factors that contribute to poor maternal & child health outcomes. Doula-supported women are four times less likely to have a low birth weight baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and even experience near-universal breastfeeding initiation.
Evidence-Informed. People-Centered.
Disparities of healthcare in world-class medical facilities are failures that cannot be tackled without acknowledging and addressing their intersectional systemic and institutional drivers. Not only do we need to deconstruct those drivers, but we also want to mitigate their harm immediately.
Research & Advocacy
We use evidence, research partnerships, and community perspectives to advocate for more equitable maternal healthcare systems.
What the evidence says →Accessible Information
We create and curate multilingual health information to help families make informed decisions and navigate maternal and newborn healthcare.
Explore our resource library →Maternity Peer Support
We promote long-term, personalized, and culturally responsive peer support as an important part of equitable maternity care.
Learn more →Our Approach to Language and Terminology
We recognize that not everyone who gives birth identifies as a woman or mother, and we aim to use language that reflects this diversity.
Keep reading →