Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
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Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should be inclusive, supportive, and affirming for all parents. But in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people who are starting families often face distinct challenges that can hurt both their health and emotional well-being. While progress is being made, there's still a long way to go.
A survey from the AAMC’s Center for Health Justice shows that LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to report complications during and after pregnancy, face discrimination in healthcare settings, and struggle to access providers who truly understand their needs. So, how can LGBTQ+ parents protect their well-being and advocate for a better experience? Here's what to know, and what you can do.
Understanding the Realities: What LGBTQ+ Families Face
Many LGBTQ+ parents report feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disrespected during their pregnancy journeys. The AAMC survey found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ parents rated their birth experience as “fair” or worse, compared to less than one in five of their heterosexual, cisgender peers.
These disparities don’t end in the delivery room. LGBTQ+ families report higher rates of postpartum depression, physical recovery issues, chestfeeding difficulties, and stress around returning to work.
Research highlights additional risks for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary parents. From preterm births and pregnancy loss to increased rates of birth trauma and mental health challenges, the health inequities are real, and they’re rooted in systems that haven’t historically centered on LGBTQ+ needs.
Why These Disparities Exist
Bias, unfair treatment, and inadequate training for care providers to understand all families can contribute to these problems. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ parents in the AAMC survey felt that discrimination had directly impacted the care they received.
Common problems include:
Another layer: many LGBTQ+ patients understandably hesitate to disclose their identity in healthcare settings, fearing judgment or poor treatment. And that lack of open communication can set back care.
Steps LGBTQ+ Parents Can Take to Advocate for Better Care
Until the healthcare system becomes more inclusive across the board, there are ways LGBTQ+ parents can help protect their mental and physical well-being throughout their or their partner’s journey.
1. Find a Provider You Can Trust
Look for doctors, doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals who advertise inclusive care or who are recommended by other LGBTQ+ families. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a great starting point. When possible, interview providers ahead of time to ask about their experience working with queer or trans parents.
2. Be Clear About Your Needs
Once you find a provider, being open about your identity and expectations can help shape a better experience. If you feel safe, talk openly about language preferences, partner involvement, and what a supportive care team looks like to you.
3. Build Your Support Circle
No one should have to go through this process alone. Whether it’s connecting with other queer parents online or in person, finding a local LGBTQ+ parenting group, or leaning on allies, having a community that understands your experience can make a huge difference.
4. Speak Up and Stand Firm
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Consider drafting a birth plan that outlines how you want to be supported. And if possible, work with a doula or advocate who can amplify your voice and protect your wishes during labor and delivery.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pregnancy and postpartum are already times of intense emotional change, and LGBTQ+ parents often deal with additional stressors. Seek out therapists or support groups that understand the experiences of queer and trans individuals. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help!
6. Stay Connected with Your Partner or Chosen Family
Open, ongoing communication with your partner or primary support person is key. Talk about how you're both feeling, what kind of care you’re receiving, and how you want to co-parent. Respectful teamwork has been shown to make a real impact on outcomes.
How Health Plans and Employers Can Support LGBTQ+ Pregnancy Care
LGBTQ+ parents can do a lot to advocate for themselves, but lasting change requires support from the systems around them. Health plans and employers have a powerful opportunity to help close care gaps and make pregnancy safer and more inclusive for all families. Here's how they can lead the way:
Better support starts by recognizing that every family deserves compassionate, personalized support, and making sure your benefits reflect that.
The Bigger Picture: What Needs to Change
Making pregnancy better for LGBTQ+ families is not just about what each person can do. The healthcare system also needs to change. Providers must make sure their care is safe and welcoming for everyone. Laws and policies should be updated to ensure that all families receive the same high-quality care and support. Real change happens when care providers and systems listen to LGBTQ+ parents, understand their challenges, and treat them with kindness and respect during pregnancy and after.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, here are some helpful resources:
At Delfina, we’re committed to creating safer, more supportive care for every family.
Advocating for inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents and the systems that support them.
