The Latinx community faces a growing number of concerns when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum — concerns which can complicate an otherwise joyful time for any pregnant Latina or postpartum parent. Some of these issues may be ingrained in culture, or related to socioeconomics, while others may stem from generations of systemic racism.
Background: Latinx maternal and child health disparities
A study by the University of British Columbia and published in the Birth Place Lab shows that overall people of color experience more mistreatment while giving birth. Research from a report by Blue Cross Blue Shield also shows that Hispanic birthing parents experience other disparities in prenatal healthcare, including not being able to attend all prenatal visits due to lack of transportation or scheduling conflicts, as well as higher rates prediabetes, preeclampsia and anemia.
Also, according to the American Heart Association, Black and Hispanic/Latina mothers disproportionately experience adverse childbirth outcomes related to cardiovascular issues (in part, because one in every 16 Hispanic cis-gendered women aged 20 and older have coronary heart disease). But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
“Babies born to Latinos are significantly more likely to have serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs),” says Dr. Erica Montes, board-certified OB-GYN and advisor for pH-D Feminine Health. “While this disparity is not well understood, one reason may be that Hispanic pregnant people have a lower intake of folic acid in their diet.”
Additionally, Montes says that Hispanic babies account for nearly one out of four babies born preterm in the United States. Giving birth to preterm babies and babies with birth defects puts additional stress, both emotional as well as financial, on Latinx birthing parents. Speaking of stress, Latinx birthing parents also face higher risk for postpartum depression (PPD).
“If you have experienced depression or anxiety in the past, there is a higher risk that those symptoms will worsen in the postpartum period because of the hormonal fluctuation,” says Dr. Stephanie Marie Turcios, OB-GYN at the University of California, San Francisco. Even if a parent doesn’t develop full-blown PPD, Turcios says about 80% of birthing parents experience postpartum baby blues. “Yes, it is that common! Because of these risks, I encourage all to reach out to their prenatal care providers for support if they are experiencing any changes in their mental health,” she says.
Susana Marquez, licensed marriage and family therapist, specialized maternal mental health clinician and owner of Wellness Para La Mama, believes a lack of resources and lack of understanding on what maternal mental health actually is within our culture and families are partly to blame.
“PPD is more common among Latinas because there is less education surrounding what it is,” says Marquez “Religion and culture perpetuate the problem by creating a false narrative around motherhood. [Sometimes called marianismo, it’s the belief that] a mother should be a martyr and place herself and her needs on the backburner. Mothers in the Latino/Latinx community suffer more in silence, fear of guilt, shame judgment, lack of understanding, compassion and empathy of what a mother is going through,” she says. These are just some of the caregiving challenges faced by the Hispanic community.
“Mothers in the Latino/Latinx community suffer more in silence, fear of guilt, shame judgment, lack of understanding, compassion and empathy of what a mother is going through.”
— Susana Marquez, licensed marriage and family therapist
To combat this, nonprofit organizations, as well as doulas, midwives, OB-GYNs and even social media influencers are all working to create culturally competent maternal health resources.
Resources for pregnant Latinx and Latinx parents and families
Here, we’ve gathered several resources to help you get started on your journey to support yourself or your loved one. These types of resources are important to help pregnant Latinas, Latina moms and Latinx families adjust to this new phase of life, so that they might go on to have safe and healthy deliveries and feel more supported in the postpartum period.
Healthy pregnancy resources
1. ProSalud Houston
ProSalud Houston is dedicated to promoting health awareness within the Latinx/Hispanic community. They have a number of programs that can be especially helpful for pregnant individuals, including Health Access (assisting with applications for medical assistance programs and referrals to low-cost clinics), Acido Folico (a class educating pregnant persons on the importance of taking folic acid), as well as a car-seat-fitting class.
2. The Latina Doc
Dr. Ali Rodriguez, a.k.a The Latina Doc, is a Latina OB-GYN who also happens to be a popular social media influencer, posting on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube about reproductive health, including pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum. From sharing what happens at the fetal anatomy scan to discussing preeclampsia and even pregnancy dreams, Dr. Ali covers it all and makes it educational, entertaining and even bilingual to boot.
3. “Waiting for Bebe: A Pregnancy Guide for Latinas” by Lourdes Alcaniz
While similar to other pregnancy guidebooks, “Waiting for Bebe: A Pregnancy Guide for Latinas” is specifically geared toward the Hispanic community and available in both Spanish and English. The book highlights some of the health concerns that especially concern Latinas, dismantles some Latinx pregnancy myths and helps readers to navigate some cultural differences, especially for first-generation Latinx pregnant folks.
4. Registered dietitians
Blanca Garcia, a Latina mom and registered dietitian nutritionist based in Los Angeles, says that when she found out she had gestational diabetes, she knew she needed to reach out to a fellow dietitian for support. “Although I know what to do, it’s not the same when you are experiencing a medical condition yourself, and it’s wise to seek out help,” says Garcia.
Mexican-American registered dietitian and diabetes educator Marina Chaparro is one such dietitian. The author of “Pregnancy & Diabetes: A Real-Life Guide for Women With Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes,” Chaparro shares a lot of her knowledge via her Instagram account Goodlife Diabetes. She also has another IG account Nutrichicos that’s all about raising healthy eaters — great to keep in mind for once your baby gets older.
Childbirth resources
5. Clearbirth Doula Services
“Being a doula and providing unconditional support is helpful for clients to understand they can speak with me about any concerns they might have,” says Annette Perel, certified birth doula, trained postpartum doula and founder of Clearbirth Doula Services.
Perel assists clients with everything from birth plan guidance and labor support, to colic reduction assistance, postpartum meal prep and more. Her podcast also helps educate listeners about and debunk myths around childbirth. She also recommends another NYC-based doula group, Doulas en Español.
6. Doulas en Español
“Doulas en Español offers labor and postpartum doulas and childbirth classes in Spanish,” says Perel. This group helps to provide culturally competent childbirth support for Latinx birthing parents, including lactation assistance and placenta encapsulation, as well as no-cost doula support for Hispanic birthing parents in financial need.
7. Birth Comadres Doula Collective
Those in Austin, Texas, meanwhile, can reach out to the Birth Comadres Doula Collective. This group offers an array of resources, including a monthly virtual meetup to answer any and all questions about pregnancy, birth and postpartum, another monthly support group just for moms featuring guest speakers and even a free program for undocumented birthing people (including those who experience pregnancy loss) that includes services like traditional Mexican rebozo, herbal teas, womb care and more.
Postpartum and lactation resources
8. La Leche League International
Montes and Perel both recommend La Leche League International (LLLI). “La Leche League meetings can be just as helpful [as speaking with family] and oftentimes easier for parents to speak about their concerns,” says Perel. LLLI’s mission is to provide support and education about, as well as promote, lactation and nursing and the perfect resources for any Latina breastfeeding or Latinx person chestfeeding their child. Their website has a slew of informative articles on these topics, and they also have a database in which to find both lactation consultants and in-person support groups. They also have a section to provide additional support for trans and nonbinary parents.
9. Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International (PSI) has tons of information to help support parents navigate life in the postpartum, including a HelpLine you can call to ask questions, get information and find additional support. Their website has information on postpartum mood disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive symptoms, postpartum psychosis and more. They also have a database of mental health providers to help individuals find help (though these are not necessarily for Latinx folks only).
“Postpartum Support International (also) has support groups online in Spanish and coordinators that can connect a mom with resources in her city,” adds Marquez. “I am one for Los Angeles and North Ocean County.”
10. Therapy databases for Latinx
It can often be a challenge to find a culturally competent therapist as a Latinx person. Luckily, there are a number of resources these days to help folks connect with counselors, therapists and other mental health providers. Both Latinx Therapy and Therapy for Latinx provide easy-to-navigate databases filled with mental health practitioners all across the country.
11. The Soulcare Collective
With a focus on supporting Black, Brown and Indigenous people’s mental and emotional well-being, The Soulcare Collective provides a number of options for individual and group wellness sessions. While the collective goes beyond helping parents, their monthly Birth Story Processing support group is specifically geared toward individuals who have endured trauma in relation to birth, whether they experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, early infant death or a medically necessary termination. The collective also offers affordable individual therapy, workshops and more.
12. Birthful Podcast
Created by Latina mother, doula, author, postpartum educator, sleep consultant and former journalist Adriana Lozada, the Birthful Podcast is a treasure trove of information on pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Lozada interviews experts and parents to inform and engage listeners on basic as well as unexpected topics like dealing with morning sickness, avoiding having a subsequent traumatic birth, how to use herbs in pregnancy and postpartum and even what your poop has to do with your baby’s microbiome.
