Doulas are Childbirth Companions who Contribute to Improved Birth Outcomes
Black women in Los Angeles County are four times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy complications than women of other races. Black babies In Los Angeles County are two to three times more like to die before their first birthday than babies of other races. The Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Initiative believes that doulas can help combat the high rates of black infant and maternal deaths. L.A. Care Health Plan agrees and is going to help spread the word about doulas during an Instagram Live event tomorrow during Black Maternal Health Week.
Doulas are professional childbirth companions who provide emotional, physical, and educational support to a woman who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience. While the doula can make the experience more pleasant with this individualized support, a National Institutes of Health study also found that expectant mothers matched with a doula had much better birth outcomes.
To learn more about doulas join L.A. Care’s Instagram Live event with Chantel Runnels, a trained doula. The event is set for tomorrow, Friday, April 16 at 1 pm on L.A. Care’s Instagram account @lacarehealth.
You can also learn more about healthy pregnancies and the county’s doula program by visiting L.A. Care’s Healthy Pregnancy Program webpage.