From St. Louis Department of Health, March 10, 2021
Thanks to a $1 million grant from Merck for Mothers and the Yellow Chair Foundation, St. Louis has become one of nine Safer Childbirth Cities. The award was granted to Generate Health and Jamaa Birth Village to support the STL 360 Doulas Initiative, a new collaborative to expand access to doula care. The new initiative is a partnership between Jamaa Birth Village, Generate Health, STL Doulas of Color Collective and Jesse Davis, MD, MBA, from Washington University the collaborative’s program evaluation provider.
Doulas are trained professionals that provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to women before, during, and after childbirth to help achieve the healthiest, most satisfying birth experience possible. The work of the doulas can provide a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family. “360 Doulas” refers to both the number of doulas trained and wraparound (360°) support that doulas provide. The unique model of childbirth education, nutrition, bodywork, and care helps ensure a totality of support is present.
Studies indicate that increased access to doula care can improve numerous health outcomes for mothers and babies, lower healthcare costs, reduce cesarean sections, decrease maternal anxiety and depression, and even help to improve communication between many of the most vulnerable and pregnant women and their health care providers.
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