What is #BumpDay?
At What to Expect, we believe every mom deserves the respectful, responsive maternal care that she needs to keep herself and her baby healthy. And that great care shouldn’t stop once baby one has arrived.
This #BumpDay, we’re spotlighting the postpartum period. This time should be full of baby snuggles and rest — but for far too many moms, it’s dangerous. Roughly 35% of maternal deaths in the U.S. happen in the 42 days following birth, with nearly two in three deaths occurring in the first year postpartum. It’s a crucial time when serious complications can happen, and a barrier to care can quite literally be the difference between life and death.
That’s unacceptable.
We invite you to join What to Expect on Wednesday, July 23, to advocate for changes in policy and healthcare standards that will ensure every mom’s right to get the care she deserves.
It’s easy to show your support and sisterhood: Post a baby bump — yours or one you love, past or present — with the hashtag #BumpDay. What to Expect will be posting personal stories from families who’ve faced barriers to getting the postpartum care they need, and we invite you to share your story, too. Or simply share a message of solidarity: Every mom, everywhere deserves a safe pregnancy and postpartum period.
Post a Bump. Spread the word. Share the love. Demand change.
Participate in #BumpDay
1. Share your story — or show your support. If you've struggled to find the respectful, responsive, high-quality maternity or postpartum care that every mom deserves, post about it on any social platform. You could also share a bump photo — yours, or someone you love — with this simple message: Every mom, everywhere deserves a safe pregnancy and postpartum period. Tag your post with #BumpDay and @whattoexpect. We will be reposting these stories on #BumpDay.
2. Demand action. Contact your congressional representatives and urge them to take action that supports safe pregnancy and postpartum experiences in honor of #BumpDay.
