Supporting professionals and nurturing families.
Implementing systems that support perinatal professionals and improve pregnancy, birth and early parenting for underserved communities in the DC metro region.
DMV Doulas & Medicaid Workgroup
Working towards improving access to doula services and advocating for higher standards of care and practice across the DC metro region.
NOVA Community Doula Project
Training
Medicaid-approved doula training scholarships for historically underserved communities.
Certification
Support throughout State Certification and Medicaid approval process.
Referrals
Local health clinics connect Medicaid members with State Certified doulas throughout the region.
What are Doula Services?
A doula provides education, referrals, and guidance during pregnancy. They help with comfort measures during labor and communication with medical personnel within the hospital setting. Doulas provide in-home postpartum visits and offer breastfeeding education, emotional support, and guidance for optimal postpartum healing.
How do Community Doulas make an Impact?
Over the past 20 years the community doula model has been tested around the country by organizations such as HealthConnect One, Mamatoto Village, and Open Arms Perinatal Services, and it is of undeniable benefit the communities served.
New data from Blue Shield of California community doula pilot program, shows participants have experienced lower c-section rates, less rates of postpartum depression and high percentage of full term births. Blue Cross Blue Shield article states that community based doulas “do more to improve health outcomes and reduce racial health disparities than programs that don’t use workers with intimate knowledge of the communities they serve.”*
*according to Blue Cross Blue Shield
https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/healthequity/data-show-community-based-doulas-improve-outcomes-black-mothers
