I almost died during pregnancy. Now I'm building a platform to save others.

At 30 weeks, I was rushed to the ER with severe stomach pain. But, the doctors said I was just “dehydrated.” I protested—I drink a gallon of water a day—but they dismissed me and sent me home.

Days later, vomiting uncontrollably and screaming in pain, I was back in the hospital. Still, the doctors were ready to discharge me. It wasn’t until my family—who happened to be in town for my baby shower—intervened and demanded more tests that I was finally diagnosed: acute necrotizing appendicitis. If I had gone home again, my appendix would have ruptured. I would have died.

I was lucky. My daughter and I survived.

But so many Black mothers aren’t as fortunate.

That’s why I founded Pregnant And Black (PAB)—a digital platform that will connect pregnant women with trusted healthcare advocates, provide community-based support, and arm us with the resources we need to survive and thrive—so other Black women don’t have to go through what I did. We deserve to be heard and protected.

This National Black Business Month, I’m asking for your support. PAB is currently in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. While we are not yet officially recognized as a tax-exempt organization, your support at this early stage is crucial. Once approved, our tax-exempt status will likely be retroactive to the date of our formation or the start of our programs—meaning that donations made now may become tax-deductible later, in accordance with IRS guidelines. Your donation will go toward:

Why this matters:

More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable. And yet, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. That’s not a statistic. That’s a crisis.

At Pregnant And Black, we believe that being pregnant while Black shouldn’t be a death sentence.

We are building more than just an app—we’re creating a movement. One that protects, uplifts, and centers the lives of Black women and birthing people.

✨ Ways You Can Help:

Donate. Every dollar helps us build and launch the PAB app and support Black moms.

Share. Post this campaign with your network on social media. Use the hashtag #PregnantAndBlack.

Follow. Stay updated via Instagram @pregnantandblack and www.pregnantandblack.com.

Thank you for believing in this vision. Together, we can rewrite the story for Black maternal health—so that no other mother feels unseen, unheard, or unprotected.

With gratitude,

Rayna Reid Rayford

Founder, PAB