In California, as in much of the US, Black mothers / birthing people* experience the highest rates of maternal morbidity (serious complications) and mortality (death) of any racial/ethnic group. According to the California Healthcare Foundation, despite impressive reductions in maternal mortality for all racial/ethnic groups in California, Black mothers / birthing people are four to six times as likely to die from pregnancy/birth-related causes and twice as likely to suffer a maternal morbidity (such as hemorrhage and infection) than those in all other racial/ethnic groups. These statistics are especially concerning, given that maternal morbidity and mortality metrics are widely considered to be some of the most fundamental barometers of public health.

HerStory, Inc. was created out of necessity for the BIPOC community in Orange County after being ignored and overlooked for years. HerStory’s mission is to provide a safe space for pregnant and postpartum BIPOC families to learn, create community, and thrive. Our organization is comprised of Doulas, Nurses, Lactation Consultants, Midwives, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners, Therapists and Social Workers to provide maternal and family health educations and birthing services to create stress-free pregnancy before and postpartum for the mother and family .