Blog Archives

This month, I am happy to spotlight the What to Expect Project (WTEP), a PMNCH member of the NGO constituency that is holding its 8th annual #BumpDay initiative on 20 July. Every day, more than 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy or childbirth worldwide, and there are currently vast disparities in care based on where a mom lives, her ability to pay and the color of their skin. Founded by Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, WTEP is dedicated to informing, supporting, and empowering moms in need around the world, so they can expect healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, healthier babies, and healthier futures. The organization harnesses the power and global reach of the What to Expect brand and mobilizes its community of more than 20 million moms to help bring about positive change, particularly on issues that impact moms and families most.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, presented Heidi and Erik Murkoff with the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award on June 23, for their longstanding support to military moms and dads stationed around the world. The ceremony honoring their contributions to the Armed Forces was held in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. The Murkoffs were nominated for the award, given annually, by the Department of the Navy.

No matter where in the world they live, every expectant mom wants what’s best for their baby: a healthy beginning to a healthy, bright future.

Established in 1997 by its founder, Heidi Murkoff – author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, the What to Expect Project (WTEP) is dedicated to informing, supporting, and empowering moms in need, in the United States and around the world, so they can expect healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, healthier babies, and healthier futures.

“It’s never easy becoming a mom, but when you have fewer resources, less support, less care, it becomes exponentially harder.” We are proud to be featured in BNY Mellon Wealth’s #DoWellBetter campaign! Heidi Murkoff, author of What To Expect When You’re Expecting, and her husband, Erik Murkoff, founded the What To Expect Project (WTEP) with a mission to “empower, educate, support and nurture moms around the world.”

In celebration for the 6th annual National Bump Day, author of the longest-running book ever on the New York Times Best Seller List What To Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff talks about pregnancy safety.

The birth of a child is typically a time when family and friends gather together to support mothers and fathers-to-be as they celebrate and navigate their changing family dynamics. However, military parents can experience this time in their lives far away from their homes and traditional networks of support.
This is where the USO steps in to deliver on its mission of strengthening through connection. Since 2013, the USO and Heidi Murkoff, author of the “What to Expect” book series and creator of whattoexpect.com and the WTE Foundation, have partnered in hosting Special Delivery baby showers for new military parents and parents-to-be around the globe. Special Delivery celebrates, educates, and connects new and expectant parents who are often stationed far from their families, friends, and support networks during their pregnancies.

No matter where in the world they live, all moms-to-be want what’s best for their babies: a healthy beginning to a healthy, bright future. But tragically, far too many moms-to-be around the world don’t receive the basic health care they need to ensure a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and a healthy baby.

Wednesday was National Bump Day, a day devoted to raising awareness and redoubling our efforts to meet the urgent need for better maternal health care around the world. Every day, 830 women, almost entirely from developing countries, die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and 16,000 children under five years old around the world die of treatable conditions, such as pneumonia and diarrhea. Although the risk of a woman dying in child birth is 47 times higher in Africa than in the United States, maternal death rates in our country have also steadily risen in recent years and are higher than rates in any other developed nation.