Community-based doulas dramatically increase breastfeeding rates and decrease c-section rates – by providing extended, intensive peer-to-peer support to families throughout pregnancy, during labor and birth, and into the early postpartum period. They are a mitigating factor for maternal mortality, and for many other risks to birthing families, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.
The Community-Based Doula Program Model succeeds because doulas are of and from the same community as their clients and are able to bridge language and cultural barriers for optimal health and well-being. This is the only home visiting program model in the U.S. in which a home visitor is present at the birth.
Would you like to talk about how this program might look in your community, or how it might integrate into your organization’s existing programs?
National Recognition
The Community-Based Doula Program is featured in the 2018 Home Visiting Yearbook published by the National Home Visiting Resource Center, and was recognized as a Best Practice by the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) in 2016.
Five Essential Components of the Community Based Doula Model:
The impacts of HealthConnect One and the community-based doula model are transformative. There is no greater work in our communities than building stronger families and advocating for the health and wellness of the youngest members.
Positive Outcomes
Community-Based Doula Programs improve infant health, strengthen families,
and establish supports to ensure ongoing family success.
Community-Based Doulas and Breastfeeding Duration
The breastfeeding rates of mothers served by a Community-Based Doula Program are astounding. Not only do mothers breastfeed, they also breastfeed for much longer than what is typically seen in similar populations. According to The Perinatal Revolution, breastfeeding duration among both Black and Hispanic mothers served by community-based doulas were significantly higher than PRAMS benchmarks.
Black or African American Mothers - Community Based Doula Participants
- PRAMS
- Community Based Doula Participants
- PRAMS
Hispanic Mothers - Community Based Doula Participants
- PRAMS
- Community Based Doula Participants
- PRAMS
Community-Based Doula Stories
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Doulas are not visitors; birthing moms need support
Recently, CNN reported that a “New York Hospital system is barring visitors, including partners, during childbirth due to coronavirus.” Tikvah Wadley, HC One’s Lead Doula, reflected on this recent news restricting doulas, partners and other loved ones in the delivery room. This is a stressful time for the world and not to mention pregnant moms.
March 26, 2020 -
Q and A: SisterWeb Birth Doula Workshop in January
In January, Health Connect One trainers Brenda Reyes and Tikvah Wadley coached a group of doulas at SisterWeb in San Francisco. We had a conversation with SisterWeb’s Marna Armstead and Alli Cuentos afterward to learn more about the experience from the local organization’s perspective. Here are some brief highlights from the conversation: Q. Can
February 19, 2020 -
Pure CHW Awesomeness in South Carolina
by Amber Pendergraph, Community-Based Doula with BirthMatters Talk about Pure Awesomeness! I recently had the honor of being grandfathered into a Community Health Worker (CHW) course. The course was followed by a certification exam to become a certified community health worker for South Carolina! The training I attended was facilitated by Julie Smithwick. I thoroughly
July 2, 2019
Contact our National Program Director to discuss
how this model can work in your community:
404.798.7718