Mobile County moms gather for Black maternal health expo [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Starting a family is exciting, but it can also be scary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Alabama, has the worst infant and maternal mortality rate in the country.

It’s a serious issue Cecilia Pearson has tried to solve. Two decades ago, she created Babypalooza, an opportunity to connect pregnant women across the country with as many resources as possible.

“When you’re a first time mom, you don’t know what you don’t know,” said Pearson. “And so a lot of times there’s joy, but there’s also anxiety, you know, you’re wondering what pregnancy is going to be like. You’re wondering, can I take care of the baby?

Seeing a need in Mobile, Pearson’s journey eventually led her to the Port City.

“In Alabama we actually are one of the highest states for infant …