Free doula services for Black Henrico moms-to-be
WTVR
and last updated 2021-04-20 17:36:37-04 HENRICO COUNTY, Va - Up to 120 expecting mothers who are Black and living in Henrico County will get access to doula services free of charge through October.
The Richmond-Henrico Health District established the fund with community doula organizations to try and reduce the health impacts on Black mothers caused by racial bias in the healthcare system, officials said.
A doula is a labor support person who helps an expecting mother before, during, and after the birth of her baby. Stephanie Spence, Director of Urban Baby Beginnings, said both mother and child experience better health and emotional outcomes when working with a doula.
Henrico County launches doula fund
Henrico County launches doula fund By Jasmine Turner | April 14, 2021 at 4:44 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 6:26 PM
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) -The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have launched a doula fund to help the Black community in Henrico access doula care.
“We are excited about this project, we know that there is nothing out there that says having a doula is bad for you. All the evidence says it will improve your experience, improve your outcome,” explained Whitney Tidwell, Maternal Child Health Nurse Coordinator with the Richmond City Health Department. “[There are] decreased rates of preterm birth, less intervention, like the use of forceps, decreased c-section rate.”