March for Moms with Lamaze on May 11!

Did you know that American women today are 50% more likely to die in the period around childbirth than their mothers were? It's shocking, unacceptable, and just one of the reasons why we need you to March for Moms with us in May.

We invite you to join Lamaze and people from around the country at the third annual #MarchForMoms on Saturday, May 11 at 1 pm EST on the National Mall to say: enough is enough! The March for Moms rally, which takes place the day before Mother's Day, will bring together hundreds of American families, celebrities, and policymakers to bring attention to the issues of maternal mortality and care inequities, and discuss ways to fix the systems of care for moms all year long. The March for Moms rally is a fun, family-friendly, and peaceful demonstration that addresses the critical state of maternal health in our country. 

All of us, in one way or another, are affected and shaped by the events of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. We are in a position now in our country to work to improve the outcomes of these events for ourselves, our families, and our communities. To better understand what's at stake, take a look at the following critical issues:

• Rising maternal mortality and poor health outcomes - The rate of U.S. mothers dying from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth continues to rise. More than 50% of deaths are preventable.
• Perinatal depression - 15-21% of pregnant women experience depression or anxiety. The United States does not have adequate programs in place to address, support, and treat those who need help.
• Health care inequities - African-American and Hispanic and Latino women experience disproportionately high poor health outcomes, including infant deaths, than white women. Black mothers are 3-4 times more likely to die around the time of birth.
• Premature birth - Approximately 1 in 10 babies are born too early in the United States, and the number is on the rise.
• Maternity and family leave policies - The United States is the only high-income country, and one of only eight countries in the world, that does not mandate paid leave for mothers of newborns.
• Lack of access to health care - There are big pockets across the United States where mothers do not have access to maternity care and/or insurance.

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