Hear Her®: Know the Signs, Save a Life
Too many women in the U.S. die from pregnancy-related problems—and most of these deaths don’t have to happen.
Black women are especially at risk. They’re three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women.
The good news? Over 80% of these deaths are preventable.
Many people don’t know the urgent warning signs that can indicate serious health complications during and after pregnancy—and if they do, their concerns may be ignored by others, even doctors. That’s why Well Child Center is bringing the Hear Her® campaign to Kane County, with support from the CDC Foundation.
What’s the goal?
We want to make sure everyone—pregnant people, new parents, families, friends, doctors, and community leaders—knows what to look for and when urgent medical care is needed. Because when we listen and act, lives are saved.
What We’re Doing
- Sharing the warning signs of pregnancy- and postpartum-related emergencies
- Encouraging and empowering people who are pregnant or who just had a baby to act on the warning signs
- Providing tools for important conversations about health concerns
- Teaching healthcare providers how to better care for all patients—especially those at higher risk for pregnancy-related complications
What You Can Do
If you’re pregnant or had a baby in the past year…
- Learn the urgent warning signs (pdf download)
- Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency department right away if you experience any of the urgent signs during pregnancy or in the year after pregnancy
- Speak up to your healthcare provider about any other concerns—you know your body best
- Keep asking if you’re not being heard
- Talk to someone you trust—such as a family member, friend, or faith leader—and ask them to help advocate for you during your next medical appointment
Helpful links
- Conversation Guide
- List of Warning Signs (pdf download)
- More Warning Signs Information
- Real Stories from Real People
If you’re supporting someone who is pregnant or had a baby in the past year…
- Learn the urgent warning signs (pdf download)
- Get help right away if your loved one experiences an urgent warning sign
- Take their concerns seriously and encourage them to talk to their healthcare provider
- Offer to go to appointments with their healthcare provider(s) and help them speak up
Helpful links
- Partner Conversation Guide
- List of Warning Signs (pdf download)
- More Warning Signs Information
- Real Stories from Real People
If you’re a healthcare provider…
- Listen and follow up on your patients’ concerns
- Teach your patients the urgent warning signs (pdf download)
- Encourage your patients and their support people to ask questions
- Use shared decision-making
- Make your follow-up plan clear
- Take steps to reduce implicit bias
Helpful links
Interested in engaging in a deeper conversation about this or finding a speaker to share information on this topic in your clinic or hospital? Contact Well Child Center
If you’re part of a church, community group, or local organization…
- Teach others the urgent warning signs (pdf download)
- Urge pregnant and postpartum people to get medical care immediately if they experience any of the urgent warning signs during or in the year after pregnancy
- Encourage pregnant and postpartum people to share their concerns with their healthcare provider
- Provide a safe space to talk about their health concerns
Helpful links
- Partner Conversation Guide
- List of Warning Signs (pdf download)
- More Warning Signs Information
- Real Stories from Real People
Interested in engaging in a deeper conversation about this or finding a speaker to share information on this topic for your group? Contact Well Child Center