May is National Maternal Health Awareness Month — a time to reflect on the health, safety, and well-being of mothers before, during, and after childbirth. In the United States, 32.9 mothers die per 100,000 live births (2021) — the highest rate among wealthy nations — and 84% of those deaths are preventable. At Lakay Accès Santé, we believe that every mother deserves the care, information, and support she needs to thrive. This month we share essential knowledge to protect mothers and build healthier families.

What Is Maternal Health?

Maternal health encompasses the physical, mental, and social well-being of a woman throughout three critical windows:

• Prenatal (during pregnancy) — Regular checkups, screenings, nutrition, and monitoring of both mother and baby from conception through delivery.
• Labor & Delivery — Safe birth practices, access to skilled birth attendants, and timely management of complications during childbirth.
• Postpartum (after birth) — Recovery support, mental health care, breastfeeding assistance, and follow-up care in the weeks and months after delivery.

All three windows require access to quality, culturally competent, and affordable healthcare — and that access is not equal for all women.

The Landscape — Maternal Health by the Numbers

The United States faces a maternal health crisis that disproportionately impacts women of color and under-resourced communities. Key statistics include:

• 32.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 — the highest rate among high-income countries.
• Black women die from pregnancy-related causes at 3× the rate of white women; Hispanic women at 1.8×.
• 84% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable.

In New Jersey specifically:

• Black mothers face 46.5 deaths per 100,000 live births.
• 17% of NJ women receive late or no prenatal care at all.
• 1 in 7 new mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD).
• 60% of postpartum deaths occur within the first year after delivery.
• $0 out-of-pocket cost for WIC (Women, Infants & Children) benefits for eligible families.
• NJ Medicaid covers 12 months of postpartum care for eligible mothers.

Equity in Focus — Who Is Most Affected?

Maternal health disparities are rooted in systemic barriers — not individual choices. The following groups face the greatest risks:

• Black women: 3× higher maternal mortality than white women due to structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to quality care.
• Hispanic/Latina women: 1.8× higher risk; face language barriers, immigration-related fears, and limited insurance coverage.
• Women in rural areas: Fewer hospitals with obstetric care; longer travel times to specialists.
• Low-income women: Insurance gaps, inability to take time off work for appointments, food insecurity affecting nutrition.
• Immigrant women: Fear of deportation, language barriers, unfamiliarity with the U.S. healthcare system.
• Women with disabilities: Often face additional barriers to accessible, respectful maternal care.

Health equity means ensuring that every mother — regardless of race, income, language, or immigration status — has access to the care she needs and deserves.

Know the Signs — Urgent Warning Signs

Recognizing warning signs early can save a mother's life. Seek emergency care immediately (call 911) for any of these URGENT signs:

• Heavy bleeding that soaks more than one pad per hour
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or rapid heart rate
• Severe headache that does not go away
• Vision changes (blurring, spots, or loss of vision)
• Swelling of face, hands, or legs with severe headache
• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) — sign of possible infection
• Seizures or loss of consciousness
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

CONCERNING signs — call your doctor or midwife same day:

• Nausea or vomiting that prevents eating or drinking
• Painful or burning urination — possible UTI
• Increasing pain, redness, or discharge at a wound site (C-section or episiotomy)
• Calf pain, redness, or swelling — possible blood clot
• Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless for more than two weeks (postpartum)
• Baby not moving as expected after 28 weeks

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, seek care immediately.

Prevention — Prenatal Care Schedule

Starting prenatal care early — ideally in the first trimester (weeks 1–12) — gives babies the best start and helps catch complications before they become life-threatening. Here is the general recommended schedule:

• First Trimester (Weeks 1–12): Confirm pregnancy; first prenatal visit with full blood work, STI screening, blood pressure, and ultrasound. Discuss supplements (folic acid, iron). Visit monthly.
• Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26): Anatomy ultrasound (~20 weeks), glucose screening for gestational diabetes (~24–28 weeks), monitor weight gain and blood pressure. Visit every 2–4 weeks.
• Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40): Group B Strep test (~36 weeks), cervical checks, fetal position monitoring, birth plan discussion. Visit weekly after 36 weeks.

If you don't have insurance, you may still qualify for free or low-cost prenatal care through NJ FamilyCare / Medicaid or CHIP. Call (800) 701-0710 to apply.

Daily Habits — Nutrition During Pregnancy

Good nutrition supports healthy fetal development and reduces the risk of complications. Key guidelines:

Eat plenty of:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale) — folate, iron, calcium
• Lean proteins (chicken, fish low in mercury, beans, lentils)
• Whole grains (oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread)
• Dairy or fortified alternatives — calcium and vitamin D
• Colorful fruits and vegetables — vitamins and antioxidants
• Water — aim for 8–10 cups per day

Avoid or limit:

• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood
• High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish)
• Unpasteurized dairy products and soft cheeses
• Alcohol — no safe amount during pregnancy
• Excess caffeine — limit to under 200 mg/day (about 1 cup of coffee)
• Processed foods high in sodium and added sugars

Key supplements: Prenatal vitamins with at least 400–800 mcg of folic acid starting before conception if possible; iron (27 mg/day); vitamin D; omega-3 DHA. Always discuss supplements with your provider.

The Fourth Trimester — Postpartum Care & Mental Health

The first 12 weeks after delivery — the "fourth trimester" — are a critical and often overlooked period. Your body is healing, hormones are shifting, and your life has fundamentally changed. You deserve ongoing support.

Postpartum Recovery Checklist:

• Schedule your postpartum checkup at 1–2 weeks and again at 6 weeks after birth
• Monitor your bleeding — heavy bleeding or large clots need immediate attention
• Rest when you can — sleep deprivation affects physical and mental recovery
• Accept help from family and friends for meals, errands, and baby care
• Stay hydrated and eat nourishing foods, especially if breastfeeding
• Attend all baby well-child visits

Postpartum Mental Health: Baby blues (mild sadness, irritability, tearfulness) in the first 2 weeks are common. However, Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a medical condition — not a personal failure. Signs include:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness lasting more than 2 weeks
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby — seek help immediately

Postpartum Support Lines:

• Postpartum Support International: (800) 944-4773
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• NJ MomsMatter: (888) 764-3468
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Take Action — Resources for NJ Families

No matter your income, language, or immigration status, resources exist in New Jersey to support you through pregnancy and beyond:

• NJ FamilyCare / Medicaid — Free health insurance for eligible pregnant women and new mothers including 12 months of postpartum coverage. Apply: (800) 701-0710
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children) — Free nutritious food, formula, breastfeeding support, and referrals. $0 cost for eligible families. Call (800) 734-0749
• Healthy Women Healthy Families (HWHF) — Maternal health support for NJ women of color. 1-800-328-3838
• NJ Moms & Babies Outcomes Initiative — Statewide program to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
• 211 NJ — Free, confidential helpline connecting NJ residents to health, housing, food, and social services. Call or text 211.
• Lakay Accès Santé Inc. — Free bilingual health education, navigation, and interpretation services for Haitian and immigrant families in NJ. Call (908) 620-5053 or email info@lakayaccessante.org

About Lakay Accès Santé Inc.

LAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing health education, access, and equity for Haitian and underserved communities in New Jersey — in Haitian Creole, English, French, and Spanish. Services include health education, beginner ESL programming, health navigation and advocacy, interpreter services, and community outreach through health fairs, pop-up events, and faith-based partnerships.

Contact: (908) 620-5053 · info@lakayaccessante.org