>> Black >> mothers die from pregnancy-related causes at higher rates than white women.

new doula program on Chicago's South Side is working to fight that disparity are.

Joanna Hernandez tells us more about the initiative.

For many mother's pregnancy can come with fear and uncertainty, especially they're facing a high-risk pregnancy.

has been my entire pregnancy.

Very scared because >> they had told me like, you know, not to get pregnant because with me having graves and they've highways.

>> It could result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

>> Tara Proctor says she spent months worried her autoimmune disorder called Graves Disease could put her baby at risk.

That's when her doctor referred her to a free doula program for support.

>> I was 30 Sounds like I would like to So I told a lie if possible.

I would like to, you know, of course, work with the black on Christmas Day, she welcomed her healthy daughter, Nadia Layla, Joy through C section.

She was there when it came thing and yes, it was there and she my sister.

>> They gathered Tristan, they fed her.

It took some pictures.

So I had pictured the things you know to look because, of course.

>> So had a >> The initiative is a partnership between Southside Healthy Community Organization in Chicago.

Bertha Works Collective.

It provides free doula services to 80 women without insurance or Medicaid.

On the South side.

>> You know, having to be able access the doula services free of charge.

I think it's really great because that could be a barrier for some of the mothers who want to live services with the kind of for the services.

>> The program offers prenatal and postpartum visits birth preparation in labor support.

>> I always describe doulas or in my do the work that I am.

The eyes and the ears for during your pregnancy, your birth and your postpartum.

The support comes at a critical time data shows black women in Illinois are 3 times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions.

>> With many deaths occurring weeks after delivery.

>> And the black community is been said like all you got it, you got grandma but sometimes wore my auntie, got their own things going on or, you know, other kids and things like that.

So sometimes you need a middleman.

>> Advocates say programs like these can be lifesaving as maternity care continues to disappear from parts of the South side.

>> I come across a lot of mothers, not just older mothers young mothers who have no idea on how the birth.

>> So sever hospitals on the South side have closed their maternity care units forcing many women to travel further for care.

>> It's very devastating because you have to go too far.

Some others will have to go too far.

So you get those when they should be able to get them in the community that they live and, you know, feel like from others like T era, having extra support close to home.

>> mean, all the difference, ACA call her a text or anytime be like feeling is what should I do?

It should be light is a case here.

That's Beyond individual support.

Joint Thomas says programs like this park, a larger conversation about access and resources seeing someone who looks like you who may have lived experiences, you can relate to you called for she took our net.

That's like a camel part the these programs to be spread throughout the hospital so that the the doctors know that they have actions because doulas our support system to our medical providers for Chicago tonight, I'm Joanna Hernandez.

Who doesn't love a good baby families interested in enrolling in the program can visit our website for more information.

>> And we're back with some stunning images from Jackson Park right after this.

>> Reflecting the people and