Pregnancy Guides
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You asked us for tips on how to feel confident and prepared to raise concerns, ask questions— and more importantly, get answers — about your care during pregnancy and childbirth. We went to the experts. -
You're pregnant, and we are here to help, journalistically speaking.
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Pregnancy is a time of transition, with so many unknowns. Your body’s changing in all kinds of ways, and you’re feeling all the feels. And there are so many questions.
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Sharpen your pencils and open your spreadsheets. We’re going to talk about pregnancy and work — from family leave to accommodations during pregnancy, and where you can pump when you return to work.
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We asked for your stories, and you delivered a clear message: "Plan your postpartum better than your birth." Here's how.
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We can’t make child care cheaper, but we can help prepare you with the information to find resources and support.
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It’s a hard world out there to raise kids. Trying to get the care and support you need can feel complicated or just plain unfair. Here’s what you can do as a parent to make things better.
Recent Stories
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A new law allows people to take care of paperwork up to 30 days in advance of when they expect to need leave, rather than waiting until they’re actually on leave.
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Only two state university programs train nurse-midwives, and only one is accepting admissions. Advocates say that will only lead to more barriers to getting more midwives into the workforce at a time they’re critically needed.
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At least four maternity wards shut down last year alone, including Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood.
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Currently, workers get way less of their income when they take time off to care for a baby or a sick family member.
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A new L.A. County pilot program sends community health workers in select neighborhoods across the county to ask: What do you need?
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Parents and maternal health advocates share advice for expecting parents, from listening to grandmas to making your voice heard.
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An organized bus tour takes Black pregnant people to hospitals and clinics around Los Angeles to help them make informed decisions about their healthcare.
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As of 2023, people who get health insurance through Medi-Cal can get doula support for free. One problem: Most doulas have yet to enroll as providers.
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Under a new law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024, workers and their partners can get up to five days of leave for a miscarriage, stillbirth, failed adoption, and other types of reproductive loss.
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April Valentine’s partner and maternal health advocates say these consequences don’t yet amount to justice for her or other families harmed by the Black maternal health crisis.
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We take this question to the best experts in SoCal on this topic — parents — who give their tips for facing the unknown during pregnancy.
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Parenthood means big transitions — huge changes for your body, your perspective, and your identity. Your questions, answered.
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With the famous "12 week rule" for sharing pregnancy news, miscarriage has long been shrouded in secrecy. Many say it's time to break the silence.
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Low-income Californians can now get doula support during pregnancy and childbirth through Medi-Cal, but first birth workers need to enroll as providers.
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You asked us questions about baby development. Occupational therapist Dairian Roberts joined LAist’s text service Hey bb to give some answers.
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April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
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Parents are stressed and no quantity of Bluey episodes can make it better. Here are some answers to your questions about time off and sick leave for California families.
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County staff will study how to fund and implement a “hub” of resources and support for birth workers and families alike.
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The monoclonal antibody would be used to prevent and treat infections in infants already diagnosed with RSV, a contagious respiratory disease.
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Birthing support and advocacy from a doula will soon be available for more than 100,000 families a year.
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#Snapback perpetuates unrealistic postpartum expectations.
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New research affirms that not only are vaccines safe during pregnancy, they protect newborns from COVID-19.
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We convened a panel of SoCal experts to answer your questions about pregnancy, childbirth and what comes after.
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There’s a long history of health disparities for Black moms and their babies. Midwifery care might be part of the solution.
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Tummy time for babies can strengthen muscles and help them learn to crawl. Here are some tips to make that more pleasant for everyone.
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There are so many public health workers, researchers and community organizers across the country who have dedicated their lives to improving birth outcomes for black babies. Here are some of them.
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Between 10 and 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
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Black moms are much less likely to breastfeed compared to women of other races and ethnicities. That's why maternal health advocates devote the last week of August to bringing awareness of the benefits for infants and moms.
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The issue is not new, but we know more about the causes than ever before. Will society fix it?
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Black infants die before their first birthday at twice the rate of their white counterparts. Over the next few weeks, reporter Priska Neely will be sharing stories of people in Southern California and across the country who are trying to change that statistic.
SUPPORT & CREDITS
Writing, Editing & Production
Reporting & Production: Mariana Dale, Stefanie Ritoper
Editors: Ross Brenneman, Ariel Zirulnick, Ashley Alvarado
Illustrations: Dan Carino, Alborz Kamalizad
Production Support: Gillian Morán Pérez, Adriana Pera, Nubia Perez
Hey bb Review Committee
Denise Cervantes
Raena Granberry
Sayida Peprah-Wilson