Breaking the Barrier: Save a Mom Save a Family Hosts Annual Latina Maternal Health Fair in Kern County

A nonprofit organization called ‘Save a Mom Save a Family’ recently hosted the 3rd Annual Latina Maternal Health Fair at Cal State Bakersfield. The event provided families who are expecting a child with the opportunity to learn about their health, especially those in Kern County, where many women have faced pregnancy-related complications. The fair aimed to provide resources that were previously lacking, especially for families who have suffered a loss.

Co-founder Michele Monserratt-Ramos expressed the organization’s commitment to improving maternal health outcomes for Latina women in Kern County and beyond. 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.

Guest speakers at the event included 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 at Cal State Bakersfield brought together families, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to work towards improving maternal health outcomes for Latina women in Kern County and beyond.