We’re writing to share our big news: Mama2Mama is now called 4th Trimester.
This change reflects our aspiration to transform the postpartum experience for mothers and birthing people across California and along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Too many families still face their “fourth trimester” – the critical months after their baby’s birth – without support. Postpartum care in this country is not only broken; for far too many families, it doesn’t exist. The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and nearly two-thirds of deaths happen in the fourth trimester.
We need systems of support during the postpartum period that step IN, not out.
That’s why we’re calling ourselves 4th Trimester.
The mindset of “4th Trimester” is meant to be disruptive by design. We all know that trimesters come in threes. By referencing the fourth trimester, we’re communicating that the status quo mindset (where maternal care ends with the baby’s birth) is not enough. 4th Trimester says we recognize the postpartum period as a separate and dedicated trimester, when new parents deserve special recognition, attention, investment, and care.
Our new name also reflects how far we’ve come and embraces our expanded vision for supporting mothers and birthing people. We celebrate what we’ve achieved recently in:
- Growing from a grassroots initiative into a full nonprofit
- Delivering care to 1,500+ people
- Responding to crises with speed, including providing $136,500 in direct cash assistance to postpartum families during the LA wildfires
- Doubling our staff and building a strong network of partners
- Preparing to launch a 2026 cash transfer program supporting low-income postpartum families
And now, we’ve set an audacious goal of reaching 50,000 families by 2035, and will work to promote community-based postpartum care as a human right.
We’re scaling our programs and deepening our advocacy, so stay tuned for new campaigns and opportunities to get involved.
We hope our new name and vision will energize you to action. Here are the different ways you can get involved:
- Make a donation to fuel our work
- Share our new name with your networks
- Volunteer or partner with us
Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just joined our community, we’re so glad you’re here.
With gratitude,
Rachel Scandling
Executive Director, 4th Trimester
