02/10/2023
Buckle up, it’s a long post ahead!
Why is this so important to me?
US maternal mortality rates are 23.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. By comparison France is the next highest in the industrialized world with 8.7 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. On average, childbirth costs about $13,000 in the US, with an uninsured C-section being closer to $25,000. These costs are higher if baby has to go to the NICU.
In the US, choosing to continue an unplanned pregnancy is brave.
In the US there are no laws requiring paid or unpaid maternity leave. Lactation consultants are not covered by all insurances. There are limited laws protecting pumping in the workplace. Exclusive formula feeding cost ranges from about $400-800 per month depending on formula type (if there’s even formula on the shelves.)
In the US, choosing to continue an unplanned pregnancy is brave.
After childbirth, about 20% of women will experience postpartum mood disorders. And the leading cause of maternal death in the first year postpartum is su***de. While postpartum mood disorders are largely tied to hormones, a few things that can increase risk of postpartum mood disorders:
-financial stress
-single marital status
-stress in the home
-returning to work too soon after birth
-food insecurity
-housing insecurity
-childcare stress
In the US, choosing to continue and unplanned pregnancy is brave.
In the US about 23% of families are single parent households. About 30% of those families will be below the poverty line, largely contributed to the fact that almost 35% of the family’s income will be spent on childcare so the single parent can work.
In the US, choosing to continue an unplanned pregnancy is brave.
How come so many churches and Christians say that babies are blessings and gifts from God, but alienate and vilify the women carrying them? The women who, despite the statistics and social alienation, have chosen to continue their pregnancy. Did you participate in the whispers and side eye when she walked by with her growing belly? Did you refuse to officiate or attend her wedding ceremony since she was already pregnant/parenting? Did you use some variation of “you should have known better! Keep your legs closed if you don’t want to get pregnant” type rhetoric? Did you scoff about your tax dollars and social services? Did you tell her she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed in her seat while she listened to the sermon or that her crying baby was a nuisance to others?
Regardless of your personal opinions on abortions, social services, premarital s*x, and/or contraceptives… we have an huge opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to literally impact generations, by serving these women. To lead with love, to encourage, support, and walk along side them while they do the most important work within the walls of their homes! At the end of the day, your opinion, and your politics….it’s just noise.
Love is action.
It takes a village to raise a child but it also takes a village to support a mother. I hope you’ll commit to being a part of it. 💗
Ask me how you can help us serve single moms in Spring Lake NC!
