Welcome to this special Maternal Health Issue of Austin Weekly News, produced by City Bureau. City Bureau is a member-supported, nonprofit civic journalism lab based in Woodlawn. We bring journalists and communities together in a collaborative spirit to produce media that is impactful, equitable and responsive to the public.

The stories for this issue were produced by City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellows: Sarah Conway, Janaya Greene, Caroline Olsen, Emeline Posner and Camille Powell. Stories were edited by Bettina Chang. Special thanks to the team at ProPublica Illinois, who shared data and sources with us as we embarked on this project.

Read the content featured in this week’s special Maternal Health Issue below:

A note from our cover model(s)

Chicago expanding home visits from nurses

Nutrition and natural care tips from maternal experts 

The many faces of birth work in Chicago 

Bill to expand maternal health care stalls in Springfield

Our challenge: What numbers reveal about Black maternal health in Cook County

Beat the baby blues: Here’s where moms can find mental health support  

What you need to know about birth 

City Bureau public newsroom connects mom with birth workers 

In their words: A midwife fighting for recognition 

In their words: A traumatic birth 

In their words: Preparing for a first child 

This story was produced by City Bureau, a civic journalism lab based in Woodlawn. Learn more and get involved at www.citybureau.org