A recent event at Cal State Bakersfield focused on maternal health for families expecting a child. Kern County, with its large Latino community, faces challenges when it comes to pregnancy-related complications. Nonprofit organization ‘Save a Mom Save a Family’ has been working for the third year to provide resources and accountability for preventable tragedies involving young mothers and babies.
Co-Founder Michele Monserratt-Ramos expressed the organization’s commitment to bringing resources to families in Kern County and seeking accountability for maternal negligence. Families who have experienced traumatic losses have called for improvements in the healthcare system, leading to a successful campaign to recognize May as Maternal Health Awareness Month both locally and statewide. The nonprofit has been advocating for accountability by filing medical board complaints in cases involving maternal negligence.
One such case involved a Bakersfield OBGYN who was disciplined by the California Medical Board for prescribing pain medication to a pregnant woman who died in 2020. The ‘Bakersfield Families Call to Action’ campaign was initiated to raise awareness of maternal negligence and empower families to advocate for themselves. The event at Cal State Bakersfield featured guest speakers, including Kern County Board of Supervisor Leticia Perez, who shared her personal experiences with maternal health issues and the lack of information available in the past.
Perez disclosed her own struggles with miscarriages and pregnancy-related complications, highlighting the importance of discussing Latina Maternal Health issues to prevent avoidable tragedies. The event provided a platform for families, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to come together and work towards improving maternal health outcomes for Latina women in Kern County and beyond.
In conclusion, the 3rd Annual Latina Maternal Health Fair at Cal State Bakersfield provided an opportunity for families expecting a child to educate themselves on their health while also advocating for accountability in preventing maternal negligence cases. With many women experiencing complications during pregnancy in Kern County due to its large Latino community, organizations like ‘Save a Mom Save a Family’ are vital in providing resources that were previously lacking.