Nourishing Pregnancy

Nourishing Pregnancy continues to be an innovative cooking and health program that serves pregnant and postpartum parents, with a focus on Black and Latine communities, giving them the tools to ensure healthier pregnancies and overall well-being in a system where access to quality maternal healthcare is often unequal.

In California, Black women face a preterm birth rate 47% higher than women overall and are 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In San Francisco, 34% of Black and 28% of Latine pregnant women experience food insecurity, compared to almost no white women. Nourishing Pregnancy exists to change these outcomes.

A One of a Kind Program

As a community nonprofit at the intersection of equity, food and health, 18 Reasons is uniquely positioned to deliver both cooking and nutrition education and a structure for maternal health classes and workshops.

18 Reasons supplements our nutrition expertise by partnering with doulas, lactation consultants, mental health experts, and sleep and exercise practitioners.

Curriculum Highlights

Cooking Techniques and Healthy Recipes
Sleep, Exercise, and Physical Activity
Perinatal Mental Health
Postpartum Preparation
Lactation
Baby Massages
Herbalism and Cultural Homeopathic Practices
Building Support Networks

Small, Culturally Connected Groups Serve Our Birthers

Outside of 18 Reasons, Black and Latine birthing parents typically receive medical care in white-dominated settings. To offset this experience all facilitators identify as Black or Latine and create a safe atmosphere of social support and belonging. Nourishing Pregnancy instructors share the lived experience of our participants, leading to improved health outcomes for both parents and babies.

Black and Latine birthers meet in cohorts reflecting their cultures. While the curriculum is the same, the classes are taught through a cultural lens that uplifts and celebrates the African diaspora and Latine community.

We all know it takes a village to raise a child; Nourishing Pregnancy helps create a village of support for our birthers. The strength of our program lies with the strength of our partnerships, who ensure Nourishing Pregnancy grows while remaining free of charge for participants.

"This program didn't just teach me about nutrition; it gave me a community that understands and supports me."

- Amani group participant

Our Model

By addressing food insecurity, social isolation, and stress alongside maternal health, Nourishing Pregnancy succeeds in helping parents build community, foster healthier pregnancies, and thrive.

By the numbers:

In 2026 we served over 130 participants

170k pounds of food distributed across the Bay Area.

90% of participants improved their cooking skills and confidence

90% of participants delivered full-term births

Five Years of Nourishing Pregnancy

In 2026, Nourishing Pregnancy celebrated their 5th anniversary! We were joined by past and present participants to honor and celebrate all of the amazing work we’ve done the past 5 years!