The Unexpected Project is a national movement to raise awareness and foster discussion about maternal death, and near-death in the US. We share the largely untapped voice of women and their families who endure unexpected outcomes, and unthinkable suffering and loss when all they wanted was to have a baby.
The Project has two components:
UNEXPECTED - a documentary film currently in production. The team travels throughout the USA, recording stories of some of the approximately 1,000 women who die each year, and the 32,000 who nearly do. We interview survivors, families and friends of the lost mothers, and experts: doctors, midwives, and patient advocates. Fundraising is ongoing; we are currently at 25% of our goal. Click on the donate button to the right to contribute, or to make an in-kind donation, contact us at info@unexpectedproject.com.
Save a Mother’s Life - a public awareness campaign in partnership with Lucina Maternity to raise awareness about the issues, and to provide family and friends of women we have lost, as well as and near-miss survivors, a place to share their stories, photos, and thoughts. We believe awareness saves lives before, during, and after pregnancy. Join the conversation.
Our goal is to deliver a message of hope and the importance of honoring that inner voice when something doesn’t feel right, while working collaboratively with experts to have the best possible outcome – a healthy baby with a healthy mother.
The Unexpected Project strives to present accurate, up-to-date information, and a balanced, journalistic perspective on the variety of theories behind the causes, and solutions. We do not endorse any one birthing philosophy.