About

Story of Strength is a place where all mothers are invited to share their childbirth journeys that didn't go as planned, causing complications. This platform aims to preserve and share the narratives of women who encountered challenges during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum. These accounts often remain unspoken and unnoticed.

Your story matters. You matter.

Join Us

The Numbers

In 2021, the most recent year with data, 1,200 women died in childbirth in the United States.

NIH

The CDC estimates that severe maternal complications are 100 times greater than maternal mortality.

That means an estimated 120,000 women experience severe maternal complications in the US each year!

90% of these severe maternal complications are preventable!

The lack of data on maternal complications and the impact of these complications is a critical gap to changing outcomes.

McKinsey

Let's Make History Together

Making History Together

The goal of Story of Strength is

To give voice to those who felt unheard during their maternal journey
To highlight the true impact of maternal complications that have been unrecorded

By sharing your story, you contribute to a collective history that can drive meaningful change.

My Story of Strength

My own story began with a seemingly low-risk pregnancy. I had no pre-existing risk factors, yet I faced postpartum hemorrhage requiring three blood transfusions, an emergency procedure without anesthesia, and a follow-up surgery 10 weeks later. I also needed over a year of physical therapy and multiple years of psychotherapy to fully recover. Through the experience, I realized that I was stronger than I ever knew. As I began to open up about my experience, I discovered that many other women had faced similar complications. I realized how alarmingly common these issues are, yet how often they go unspoken.

My experience could have been different. This realization fuels my desire to use my story for good- to advocate for change and improvement in maternal healthcare so that other women do not have to endure the same difficulties. I not only dedicated my career to bringing new health technologies to people but also created Story of Strength.

I am committed to applying my PhD in Bioengineering to analyze the information and data provided in the stories to generate insights that make a difference for the future.

Story of Strength is to recognize the strength women have to overcome these unexpected complications and to collect and share those untold stories. With your courage to share, we can create a powerful impetus for change.

Link to Jenny

Share Your Story of Strength

Share as little or as much as you would like. Your story is completely anonymous. If you choose, share information like how your experience impacted your mental health, family life and work life.

By submitting your story, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

Voluntary Participation
- I voluntarily submit my personal story for the purpose of sharing experiences related to childbirth complications and survival.
Use of Story & Content
- I grant Story of Strength the non-exclusive, irrevocable right to anonymously use, publish, edit, and distribute my story, in whole or in part, for purposes including but not limited to website content, social media, articles, research, or advocacy efforts.
- I understand that my submission may be edited for clarity, length, or style while preserving the authenticity of my experience.
Anonymity & Privacy
- I acknowledge that my story will be published anonymously. Personally identifiable information (such as my name, location, or specific medical details) will be omitted or altered to maintain confidentiality.
- I understand that I should not include any details that could personally identify me or others in my submission.
No Compensation
- I understand that I will not receive financial compensation or other remuneration for my submission.
Legal Acknowledgment
- I affirm that I am at least 18 years old or have obtained parental/legal guardian consent to submit my story.
- I understand that submitting my story does not establish any form of legal relationship between myself and Story of Strength.

By submitting my story, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to the terms outlined in this release.