Doulas

The rule, which will last for six months, was a response to "an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare of pregnant women in Missouri," according to the state Department of Social Services. Missouri has some of the worst maternal mortality rates in the U.S.

Jamaa Birth Village in Ferguson and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office are partnering to help St. Louisans understand the importance of Black doulas.

Doulas and birth centers are considered part of the solution to Missouri’s ‘unacceptable’ maternal mortality crisis. But current law makes it difficult to help mothers most in need.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has included millions in his proposed budget to bolster efforts aimed to reduce deaths among pregnant women and new mothers. The plan includes funds to support doulas, midwives and other community birth workers.

Virtuously B’Earthed Doula Services, a St. Louis-area birthing agency, received nearly $90,000 to teach doula care this fall in Spanish, French, Somali and Arabic. The agency will provide translated manuals and training to bilingual women.

Catholic doulas navigate between religious belief and their commitment to maternal reproductive health, including abortion care.

Missouri has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. Some Black doulas in the state are seeing more requests for services. Black women are seeking out their services to improve their birth outcomes.

Pandemic aside, giving birth is already a time of high stress and anxiety. Expecting women need all the physical, mental and emotional support they can…