Pregnancy is a significant life transition with physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual changes.

Pregnancy can be one of the most beautiful things we experience. However, this does not mean that all pregnancies are smooth, easy, stress-free, and enjoyable. Physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual changes occur that are out of our control.

Depression and anxiety can begin during pregnancy; this can look like poor adherence to prenatal care, an inability to experience pleasure during activities that are usually enjoyable, poor weight gain due to inadequate diet, or excessive anxiety about your baby. Untreated depression and anxiety during pregnancy can lead to lack of seeking the proper prenatal care and may result in increased risks of postpartum mood and anxiety conditions.

Please speak to your provider if you think you are experiencing depression or anxiety during pregnancy.

Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)

Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773

“Pregnancy is a time of joy, hope, and anticipation, but also a time of fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability.”

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Pregnancy Resources

  • Websites

    Birth Rights - Website that offers a resource to inform and support human rights during labor and birth.

    Every Mother Counts - An organization working with local organizations to improve maternal health outcomes providing interactive chapters for choices in childbirth and affirmation PDFs offered in English and Spanish.

    Maternal Mental Health Now - A library of perinatal mental health information and resources available for parents and families in various languages.

    Motherhood Center - Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder “fact screening” sheet and virtual support groups for pregnant or new mothers to safely discuss the easy and hard parts of motherhood.

    Postpartum Support International - Perinatal mental health resources, support groups and postpartum experts available for parents, including loss & grief, LGBTQ+, military partners, and adoptive parents.

    Apps

    Expectful - Mental Health App for before, during, and after pregnancy.

    LEIA - A mental and physical support guide for after giving birth.

    Mamamend Postpartum Tracker - A personalized guide to childbirth recovery and postpartum health.

    Positively Pregnant - A tool to provide weekly baby updates and provide families with strategies to prepare for this transition.

    Pregnancy After Loss - An app to support families through the emotional journey as they conceive after loss.

    The Wonder Weeks - An app that teaches about the baby’s 10 mental leaps and how parents can support them when learning new developmental skills.

  • Black Infants and Families - The LA County Department of Public Health’s African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Initiative aims to combat disproportionately high rates of Black/African American infant and maternal deaths countywide; you may be able to receive free support from a birth doula.

    Frontline Doulas - Funded to provide no cost doula care for pregnant people/birthing families in Los Angeles County who identify as African American.

    Happy Mama, Healthy Baby Alliance - Birth and postpartum doula support and childbirth education for Southern California and Las Vegas families at a low cost/sliding scale fee.

    Memorial Care: Online Childbirth Education Series - A free virtual series prepares the expectant mother and her partner for the laboring process, pain management options, hospital procedures, breathing and relaxation, cesarean birth, and postpartum.

  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - Free, in-the-minute counseling 24 hours a day for anyone and anything related to pregnancy and postpartum: 833-853-6262.

    Postpartum Support International (PSI) helpline - Perinatal mental health resources, support groups and postpartum experts available for parents, including loss & grief, LGBTQ+, military partners, and adoptive parents: 800-944-4773.

    Text “Help” in English: 800-944-4773

    Text in Español: 971-203-7773.

  • Cedars-Sinai Preparing for Postpartum Wellness Class - Free if you are delivering at Cedars-Sinai.

    Jewish Family Service - Free virtual home visiting program, Raising Baby, providing individual sessions with a Parent Coach and Early Childhood Clinician, and other virtual support groups.

    Kindred Space LA - Virtual and in-person support groups for parents organized by what stage of their journey they are currently in, midwifery services, and childbirth classes.

    Maven Maternity Program - On-demand virtual appointment with Maven OB-GYNs, lactation consultants, doulas, mental health specialists, nutritionists, career coaches, and many more.

    Unfiltered Therapy - A no cost, virtual, 6-week group for mother's adjusting to the postpartum period.

  • Black Infant Health - Black maternal mental health, racism, and its impact in a perfect world.

    Kindred Space LA - Explains the perspective of Black midwives in LA devoted to helping women experience empowered births.

    Mom and Mind- Weekly podcasts hosted by Dr. Kat to discuss mental health and motherhood. Sample topics include pregnancy, body image/body shaming, baby feeding, birthing support and BIPOC.

  • Car seats - Car seats are distributed at free or no cost for low-income families living in LA County.

    Infant Risk - Provides information about medication during pregnancy and when breastfeeding: 1-806-352-2519.

    Mother to Baby - Provides information about medication during pregnancy and when breastfeeding: 866-952-2272.

    USC Verdugo Hills Hospital - Family Education Program offers free breastfeeding support group and new mother's forum: 818-952-2272.

    Valley Presbyterian Hospital: Women's and Maternity services -

    -Baby Beginnings Infant Care - A "Parents-To-Be Survival Guide" to help you navigate your hospital experience as well as the first weeks at home with your new baby.

    -Breastfeeding Preparation Class - Our Breastfeeding Preparation class, offered in both English and Spanish, is designed so you can feel completely comfortable feeding your newborn while you are in our Maternity unit and after you take your baby home.