Black Maternal Health It Takes a Village

April 11–17 marked Black Maternal Health Week, a week-long campaign to build awareness and highlight the lived experiences of Black birthing people. CCI engaged in multiple activities that week, including entering and being selected as a finalist in HRSA’s Black Maternal Health Week Photo Spotlight and appearing on local television networks, such as DC News Now and WJLA to talk about Black maternal health.

However, an activity that stood out the most was our Black Moms Matter Too panel discussion with Zion Church in Greenbelt. As CCI clinicians educated attendees on topics such as prenatal care, fertility, and mental health, a theme started to arise: it takes a village. This adage is not new to those who identify as Black or African American. We often hear our elders say this when it comes to raising children because we know it is not something we can do alone.

And here at CCI, we aim to be a part of that village for anyone who walks through our doors. We know that constantly hearing about the rising maternal mortality rate can have a weathering effect on the mind and body.

However, we believe every expectant parent deserves quality care before, during, and after pregnancy. That’s why we have incorporated the CenteringPregnancy® program model into our prenatal care.

What is CenteringPregnancy®?

Centering is holistic, relationshipbased care that gives patients more time with their clinicians in a supportive environment with other parents-to-be. We incorporate this program into our prenatal care by bringing together a small group of expecting parents in the same pregnancy stage for a series of engaging and informative sessions on labor and delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum care and so much more!

Our expecting parents walk away with free maternity supplies, access to healthy nutrition, and resources they’ll need along their parental journey. As a result, more than 91% of CCI parents in our program delivered a baby with a healthy weight in 2022.

Through our CenteringPregnancy® program and the supportive services we offer, CCI is proud to play a vital role in our community’s village.

Choose Community. Choose Culture. Choose Care.