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Strengthening Black maternal health through community, education, and care navigation.

Thriving While Pregnant & Beyond

Thriving While Pregnant & Beyond is a free, whole-person, maternal wellness and behavioral health program that helps Black women feel supported, informed, and empowered—before, during, and after birth. Through movement, emotional wellness, and community connection, we support your body, mind, and your growing family. Our culturally attuned care honors the experiences, strengths, and needs of Black mothers at no cost.

 

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 "This program has been such a positive experience, and the classes are often the highlight of my day."  — Crystal H . 

 

 

 

Impact At A Glance

A growing community of support, connection, and culturally grounded care.

26-27 

Women served annually through our pilot program

40-70 

Women projected with expanded funding

40% 

Peer-to-peer connection retention

50%

Average attendance rate

5+

Growing partnerships across maternal and behavioral health

100%

Culturally-attuned, community-rooted care for Black mothers

Why This Matters

Black mothers continue to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and postpartum, yet culturally congruent, community‑rooted support remains scarce. Our impact data shows that trusted gatherings, peer connection, and affirming education significantly strengthen engagement and lead to healthier outcomes. This work matters because culturally grounded, community care directly addresses the gaps driving the Black maternal health crisis and saves lives.

How We Support Black Mothers

Whole-Person Wellness

Every participant receives whole‑person perinatal support that integrates movement, birth preparation, self‑advocacy, and stress‑relief practices to strengthen well-being, build resilience, and protect against the impacts of structural racism. Our instructors are comprehensively trained in safe perinatal Pilates and culturally attuned, trauma‑informed, mind–body techniques. 

Emotional & Behavioral Health Support

Through our growing partnerships, we weave together the support that already exists—linking mothers to one another and to the community resources that strengthen emotional well-being. 

Support For Black Mothers

Black women deserve spaces that feel affirming, culturally grounded, and free from bias. We create community‑rooted gatherings where Black women can speak openly, connect with one another, and receive support without judgment. These gatherings include culturally attuned community dinners, trusted guest speakers, and space for Beautiful Black birth stories — strengthening confidence, connection, and community throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

How The Program Works - Three Layers of Support

Culturally Affirming, Trauma-Informed, Community-Rooted Care

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Whole Person Wellness In Practice

Every participant receives perinatal‑wellness support that strengthens physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Women move through prenatal and postpartum Pilates practices that build core strength, support pelvic‑floor health, reduce stress, and foster body confidence — helping them feel grounded, supported, and connected throughout pregnancy and recovery.

Integrated Behavioral Health Support

For those who need additional care, we offer behavioral‑health support that addresses the emotional and psychological challenges common during pregnancy and postpartum. Participants receive screening for perinatal mood disorders, short‑term interventions, and group‑based emotional‑wellness support. Warm handoffs to trusted community partners ensure women don’t have to navigate stress, anxiety, or behavioral‑health systems alone. Movement, breathwork, and stress‑regulation tools are woven throughout this tier to strengthen coping skills and resilience.

Support For Black Mothers

Black mothers face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and postpartum — not because of biology, but because of systemic inequities and racism‑related stress. This layer offers a dedicated, culturally affirming wellness space designed specifically for Black mothers. Here, women can move, breathe, and build community without navigating bias or code‑switching, and can speak openly and share their stories in their own words. This layer addresses the drivers of Black maternal health disparities and supports thriving, not just surviving.

Community & Clinical Partners

Bridge Prenatal

Bright Life Kids

CSU San Marcos

First 5 First Steps

Global Communities

Head Start

Mid-City Community Clinic

 

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Our work is strengthened through community‑rooted partnerships that support seamless, culturally responsive care for mothers across San Diego. 

Leadership

 Michele Schlanbusch leads Thriving While Pregnant & Beyond with a commitment to reducing Black maternal deaths and improving birth outcomes. As Founder and CEO, she oversees program design, community partnerships, and the organization’s trauma‑informed, culturally responsive approach to maternal wellness. Michele brings expertise in perinatal movement, behavioral health integration, and culturally attuned care, ensuring that every program honors the lived experiences of Black mothers. She is deeply rooted in the San Diego maternal health community and collaborates closely with clinical and community partners to support coordinated, whole‑person care. Her leadership is grounded in equity, emotional safety, and the belief that every mother deserves care that affirms her dignity and strengthens her well-being. 

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What Moms Are Saying About Our Program

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 "This program is so much more than Pilates. It's a safe space for Black women during pregnancy and postpartum. It's a space to reconnect with your body, learn about different resources in the community and a space to build your support system."

Imani T.

First Time Mom

" I had just become a single mom, essentially, a few weeks before my first class. So this kickstarted my desire to be in community so my pregnancy didn’t feel so lonely. I’m extremely grateful that this program was available to me, free of charge."

 

Shanice J.

First Time Mom

 "The best part of the program was learning the exercises that helped bring comfort during uncomfortable moments during pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. Understanding how each exercise supports labor and postpartum gave me real confidence. "

 

Lennae D. 

First Time Mom

 

 

"Being in a space with other women who looked like me, around the same age as me, all going through the same stage of life, it meant so much. It made me feel seen, understood, and supported in a way I didn’t even realize I needed. 

 And even after having our babies, those connections didn’t just end we’ve continued to stay in touch, meet up, and share this new phase of motherhood together. "

 

Tia J. 

First Time Mom

"As a second-time mom, this program was incredibly valuable. I felt more prepared going into labor this time because I had a better understanding of my options and more confidence in advocating for myself. It also helped me approach postpartum differently and better equipped to handle recovery."

 

Briana C.

Second Time Mom

 

"We had a dinner once a month where all the moms could come together, connect, and share our journeys. During these gatherings, health professionals were invited to give us valuable knowledge about pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming a mom.  It helped me feel more prepared, confident, and not alone."

 

Nimo I. 

First Time Mom

Our Commitment

We believe every mother deserves to feel supported, informed, and empowered—before, during, and after birth. Thriving While Pregnant & Beyond brings together movement, behavioral‑health support, and culturally grounded care to create a pathway where Black mothers can thrive.

 

Contact us

Phone number

(619) 333-0323

Email

hello@thrivingwhilepregnant.org

Address

3930 Utah St, Ste., C1, Ca 92104