Support in Pregnancy for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage Women

There are big differences in pregnancy outcomes by ethnicity. Black women and birthing people are at substantially higher risk of preterm birth and baby loss than White. They are 43% more likely to experience miscarriage and almost 50% more likely to experience stillbirth.

This is why we at Tommy's prioritise resources on supporting Black women in pregnancy and after a pregnancy loss. It is also why FiveXMore, the UK's leading organisation advancing the causes of Black maternal health, exists. 

At Tommy's we have operated a midwife-led helpline for more than a decade, offering information, advice and support to those who need support in pregnancy or after a loss, but data from an evaluation of that line showed that only 12% of users were from Black or Black-Mixed Heritage. 

That's why we set up a specialised Black and Black Mixed-Heritage helpline in partnership with FiveXMore. 

This new helpline combined our existing helpline infrastructure and midwife team with FiveXMore's reach with the Black community and insight into the needs of the audience, to deliver 1:1 advice and support to Black women before and during pregnancy, and after a pregnancy loss.

This specialist service has been generously funded by the Poundland Foundation.