Pregnant Women Embracing Belly Bumps

Listening to Mothers in California

A project of the National Partnership for Women & Families, California Health Care Foundation and Yellow Chair Foundation.

Discussing Maternity Care With California Mothers

Annually, about a half million babies – or 1 in 8 U.S. infants – are born in California. Listening to Mothers in California explores the views and experiences of childbearing women with an in-depth focus on maternity care. This is the first state-level Listening to Mothers survey and was adapted to California needs and opportunities, including current maternity care issues in the state and the distinctive population of birthing women.

Read the Report

Check out the full report, along with interactive charts and tables

More Resources

Find additional resources and products that highlight key parts of the survey data

About

Learn more about Listening to Mothers in California and its creators

Getting Started

Listening to Mothers in California Data Snapshot

Check out these helpful charts that highlight key findings from the Listening to Mothers in California survey.

The Stories Behind the Numbers

This video highlights three themes: racial and ethnic disparities in maternity care, maternal mental health and what respectful care looks like.

The Overmedicalization of Childbirth

This infographic illustrates the data behind the overuse of unwanted and unneeded interventions and the less invasive alternatives available

Listening to Mothers Full Survey Report

More than 2,500 women shared their attitudes and experiences with childbirth. Read what they have to say in the printable full survey report PDF.

Doula using a rebozo shawl to relieve the lower back pressure of a pregnant woman.

NEW: Improving Our Maternity Care
Through Doula Support

Largest U.S. Survey of Birth Experiences to be Released Summer 2025

Listening to Mothers IV will feature data from several thousand people who gave birth in 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 10, 2024 – Today, MomsRising/Mamás con Poder and Black Mamas Matter Alliance joined the National Partnership for Women & Families...

New DOL Proposal to Phase Out Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers is Long Overdue

Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 4, 2024 – On Tuesday morning, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to phase out certificates under...

National Partnership for Women & Families Statement on the 2024 Elections

Statement by National Partnership president Jocelyn Frye WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 6, 2024 – In this election, much was at stake. Voters across the country, and especially women, went to the polls motivated by issues of deep concern like economic...

NEWS: Texas sues New York doctor for telemedicine prescription of abortion pills

Texas Sues New York Doctor for Telemedicine Prescription of Abortion Pills NBC News, December 13, 2024 Texas sued a New York physician for prescribing a woman abortion pills, according to a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Ken Paxton. In the lawsuit, filed...

2024 Legislative Roundup

For millions of women, all it takes is one major life event – a new baby, a serious illness, losing a job, a family crisis, some unexpected emergency – and everything can unravel. And too many women still face discrimination and other obstacles –...

NEWS: Idaho’s strict abortion ban faces scrutiny in federal appeals court hearing

Idaho's Strict Abortion Ban Faces Scrutiny in Federal Appeals Court Hearing ABC News, December 10, 2024 A federal appeals court scrutinized the impact of Idaho's strict abortion ban on emergency medical care on Tuesday, weighing whether the ban criminalizing abortions...

From Maternal Health to Long-Term Care: Medicaid is Vital for Women’s Lifelong Health

FACT SHEET | Currently, 24 million women are enrolled in Medicaid: 56% are in their reproductive years and over half are women of color. Beyond maternity care, Medicaid ensures access to preventive services like cancer and chronic disease screenings, family planning,...

Threats on All Fronts

REPORT | We still find that states that have banned or are likely to ban abortion also overwhelmingly fail women on a range of key work and care policies. Yet, we also find that many states have taken key steps to advance women's health and economic freedom, and point...

Understanding the Difference Between Paid Sick Days & Paid Family and Medical Leave

FACT SHEET | What's the difference between paid sick days and paid family and medical leave? And which states, cities and counties have paid leave and paid sick days?