Baseline, conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are soul-shaking, family-reconfiguring events.

For many, the process is also layered with trauma. The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformations that birthers and parents go through are intense and important, and yet  — in the U.S. — there’s little to no systemic support for families to navigate all of the needs, challenges, and changes they encounter.

In the U.S., pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood are treated as personal issues, not collective responsibilities—and it’s hurting us, sometimes killing us—especially for birthers who are poor, BBIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, disabled, and undocumented. In East Oakland, this reality is acute. Holistic support for birthing families is fragmented, inaccessible, and not reflective of the city’s vibrant cultural fabric.

The consequences are serious:

• Homicide and suicide are the leading causes of death in the first year after giving birth in the U.S., surpassing obstetric complications.

• Up to 45% of new mothers experience birth trauma, and 1 in 5 suffer from a mental health or substance use disorder postpartum.

• Black, Latine/x, and multiracial mothers are more likely to report mistreatment in maternity care.

• The largest study on perinatal loneliness found that 100% of pregnant and postpartum people felt lonely.

As a collective, we have experienced the increased mental health challenges, systemic barriers, and social isolation of becoming new parents—and Kindred Care Collective is our antidote to that.

We believe as the caregivers raising the next generation, we also deserve holistic care and healing in a beloved community.

To join our collective, reach out!