April: Updates from HCN's Black Birthing Health Initiative Team

Word from the Director- Maya 

As I consider parenting I think of the many emotions associated. I consider the care of extended families, the joy of new babies, the unpredictability of mothering. These are not unique to mothering children but also the mothering that happens “in the gap”. 

So I dedicate this to those that stand in the “gap” for children without someone.  

You are required. Do not allow the physicality of childbirth to negate your very necessary role. Thank you.

Community Events- Briana

With Mother’s Day on the horizon, there are events around San Francisco that celebrate and center our Black mothers, birthing people and birth workers. Check them out: 

On Wednesday, May 7th and Thursday 8th, Embrace is facilitating a free birth workers retreat to honor healing, creativity, and community. BBHI is excited to be there and report back on our takeaways in our next newsletter. 

On Saturday, May 10th from 12:30-4:30pm, In The Black is hosting a Mother's Day Tea & Social. Curated to honor and pamper, there will be tea and honey tastings, a candle making workshop, and more! Sign up here.

Also on Saturday, May 10th 12-3:30pm is the resource and wellness fair hosted by SF Pregnancy Village. These monthly events gather SF city agencies, healthcare and community based organizations committed to improving care access. Learn more here.

We tabled for the first time at the 2025 Western Addition Library Open House! If you’re interested in having BBHI table at your next event or in partnership, email bbhi@hcnkids.org with the subject line: partnership inquiry and I will get in touch with you.

Clinical Corner- Dr. Dannie 

The month of May brings many joyous and monumental celebrations during the blooming season of Spring, including Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day & Week. This is a time to collectively raise awareness about Maternal Mental Health Disorders, intentionally address the stigma and shame/guilt that surrounds it, and encourage the fight for advocacy and support for birthing people who may suffer. 40% of Black mothers experience maternal mental health conditions and are twice as likely to experience mental health symptoms compared to counterparts, but only half as likely to receive treatment. Some factors that increase Black Maternal Mental Health symptoms/conditions include exposure to institutional racism and oppression, socioeconomic disadvantages, distrust of healthcare systems, shame and stigma surrounding seeking treatment, and disproportionate exposure to various forms of trauma. Some solutions to address the Black maternal mental health disparities include addressing systemic racism and oppression, the inclusion of diversity, economic, and political policies within maternal healthcare systems (both medical and mental health) that are tailored toward the support, advocacy, and enhancement to improve the lives and mental wellbeing of Black Birthing Mothers.

Birth Stories- Kaiayo 

The last birth I attended was for a sweet couple that live in Newark. They are a family that I have worked with before and we were excited to welcome their next baby at home as well. Her labor kept starting and stopping. Over the weekend we visited her many times doing Rebozo techniques to help her baby get aligned into a better position. Finally on Sunday night her labor picked up and we went back to her house. She labored on her bed and then was ready to get into the birth tub. Once in the birth tub, she began to push. Soon the baby was born and she cried tears of joy! 

Program Updates- Iesha/Jyn 

• BBHI Program: 

  • Referrals: Starting May 12th, we will begin accepting internal and external referrals for our first installation of program offerings: Please send all referrals to BBHI@hcnkids.org with Subject Line: BBHI REFERRAL

• Emotional Support Counseling: One-on-one counseling service is tailored for Black birthing people who are in the prenatal or postpartum stage (up to 3 years postpartum). Sessions are focused on emotional well-being and are grounded in cultural humility, attunement, and trust.

• Eligibility:

  • Black birthing person

  • Pregnant or postpartum (0–3 years)

  • San Francisco resident

  • Medi-cal/Non-Medi-cal

• Program Highlights: 

  • We Are Almost There!! The new office is nearly ready—furnishings are coming together and the space is taking shape just in time for launch. The countdown has officially begun, and we’re excited to open our doors and begin offering care to the community.

• A Meaningful Moment: BBHI will be celebrating the launch of our program by hosting our Open house during Maternal Mental Health Week on May 6th from 4-7pm . This event marks the beginning of a dedicated space within HCN for Black birthing families in San Francisco to receive culturally grounded, emotionally supportive care. We welcome HCN staff, community members, providers, and supporters to come and see what we’ve been working on—together. Please RSVP at BBHI@hcnkids.org with the Subject line: OPEN HOUSE RSVP to receive full details.. Include your name and phone number and affiliation. RSVP deadline is May 5th. 

• Happy Mother’s Day: To celebrate the strength, love, and enduring presence of mothers, BBHI presents a poetic tribute both past and present. We’re honored to share a classic piece by the legendary Nikki Giovanni, alongside an original poem from our very own Program Assistant, Jyn Rose Mata Aguas. These two voices, spanning generations, reflect the timeless spirit of motherhood.

We appreciate everyone for supporting our journey—we're just getting started! Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as additional events and program offerings will begin rolling out after our official start date in July—this is just the beginning. 

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

With gratitude,

The BBHI Team