We did not know anything about maternity care mistreatment until we learned of its existence in the most terrible way.
Then, we learned about every thinkable tactic of hospitals to justify their actions, punish vulnerability, shift the blame, obscure accountability and normalize the harm.
Where this happens, the hospital prefers to protect institutional liability and reputation rather than to acknowledge patient harm.
Mothers mistreated during maternity care on the other hand often suffer in silence — physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially, and economically.
And, they do not suffer only in that moment — the harms ripple across bodies, minds, families, and communities.
Often for many years, often lifelong.
All this can be avoided, yet maternity care mistreatment persists because of systemic bias, power imbalances, and a healthcare culture that too frequently devalues pregnant mothers.
We believe that maternity care mistreatment must be exposed to enable the introduction of specific legal protections, accountability and enforceability.
Together, we can raise awareness to end maternity care mistreatment in California.
Trust your response to the wrongful experience.