A harrowing pregnancy experience that nearly claimed her life has propelled Rayna Reid Rayford to develop a groundbreaking new app called “Pregnant and Black” (PAB). The platform aims to connect Black expectant mothers with healthcare advocates who will help ensure they receive proper medical attention and respect during pregnancy.
Rayford announced her initiative during Black Maternal Health Week 2025, sharing her personal story of medical neglect that could have turned fatal. Her experience highlights the ongoing maternal health crisis affecting Black women in America, where pregnancy-related deaths are disproportionately high and often preventable.
Emergency Room Dismissal Almost Led to Tragedy
At 30 weeks pregnant, Rayford experienced excruciating stomach pain that prompted an emergency room visit. Despite her protests and symptoms, doctors dismissed her concerns as mere dehydration. “I drink a gallon of water a day. How is it possible for me to be dehydrated?” she questioned, only to be told that “Pregnancy can be painful. You just need to deal with it.”
A week later, after uncontrollable vomiting and increasing pain, Rayford returned to the hospital. Once again, medical staff attempted to discharge her with the same diagnosis. The situation might have ended tragically if not for the timely intervention of family members who happened to be visiting for her baby shower.
“It took five doctors, my dad, my mother, my sister, my brother-in-law, and my godmother, all earnestly advocating on my behalf, to convince the medical team to even put me on the list for an MRI,” Rayford recalled. The scan finally revealed she had acute necrotizing appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery.
Family of Medical Professionals Became Her Lifesaving Advocates
The fortuitous timing of her family’s visit proved crucial. Several of Rayford’s relatives were medical doctors who recognized the seriousness of her condition and persistently advocated for proper testing and treatment. Their professional knowledge and persistence likely saved two lives.
“If we had been sent home again, I would have likely suffered from a ruptured appendix and died,” Rayford explained. “I almost became another number, a statistic in the Black women’s maternal health crisis.” This realization haunted her recovery, prompting constant thoughts about what might have happened without her family’s intervention.
The experience led Rayford to question how many other Black women face similar dismissal without having medical professionals in their families. This question became the foundation for her new venture aimed at providing advocacy for all pregnant Black women, regardless of their connections.
“Pregnant and Black” App Provides Virtual Healthcare Advocates
Rayford’s near-death experience inspired her to develop an app dedicated to supporting and empowering Black women throughout pregnancy. “Pregnant and Black” will virtually connect expectant mothers with healthcare advocates who can help ensure they receive appropriate care and respect.
“Black women deserve to have their voices heard and needs met by the medical system,” Rayford stated. She points to CDC data showing that more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, underscoring the critical need for better advocacy and care.
The platform aims to become more than just an app. Rayford envisions building a community and starting a movement to ensure every Black mother has access to proper healthcare, advocacy, and support throughout her pregnancy journey.
Addressing the Black Maternal Health Crisis Through Technology
Rayford’s initiative comes at a critical time in the ongoing conversation about Black maternal health. The maternal mortality rate for Black women remains significantly higher than for other racial groups in America, highlighting systemic inequities in healthcare.
“Being pregnant and Black is a dangerous combination, but it doesn’t have to be,” Rayford emphasized. Her personal story embodies both the dangers and the hope for change. After surviving appendicitis during pregnancy and successfully delivering her daughter seven months ago, she remains committed to preventing similar stories with different endings.
Those interested in following the development of the “Pregnant and Black” app can visit www.pregnantandblack.com or follow @pregnantandblack on Instagram. The platform currently shares stories from other Black women and provides resources while the mobile application is under development.
