Doulas and their effect on maternal mortality

A doula is a trained companion who supports a person through different stages of pregnancy, such as childbirth, miscarriage, induced abortion, or stillbirth.

With more funding doula organizations will decrease the rate of maternal mortality and save black women and their children.

The association between race and socioeconomics remains the leading cause; Higher populations of minorities live in areas with poverty.

An area with a higher poverty level will deprive residents the efficient health care facilities needed within the community.

This unfortunate reality keeps expecting mothers unsafe and uneducated.

Pregnancy-related deaths are tragic, especially because every two in three deaths are preventable.

Last year, 700 women died from pregnancy-related complications.

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women.

A small number of politicians have taken initiative to solve this health care injustice, so safe delivery is accessible to women of color.

While some research continues, it is not known with certainty why this issue continues to affect African Americans.

The CDC offers prevention information on the official website.

According to the CDC, Cardiomyopathy, thrombotic pulmonary embolism, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contributed more to pregnancy-related deaths among black women than among white women (CDC, 2019).

The list addresses the many ways our government supports expecting mothers.

For example, they support states by promoting and funding campaigns like ‘hear her’ to raise awareness of potentially life-threatening warning signs during and after pregnancy.

Although the government has made initiation, the U.S death rate during pregnancy spiked in the pandemics first year by 14%, according to the national center of health statistics.

Is it possible that the campaigns intended to help black women are useless? What changes need to be made to combat this increasing health issue?

This is not because it is more prevalent for black women, but it is often diagnosed at the same rate as white women.

Indeed, a standard for health care in all environments is necessary, but access to amenities such as a Midwife/Doula can decrease the rate of black mothers dying.

During pregnancy, a healthy mental and physical state is crucial as the adverse can affect delivery.

Therefore, doulas offer their clients educational, spiritual, and emotional support to ensure a viable and successful pregnancy.

Little research on the effect of having a doula while pregnant has been made. But what we do know is that most deaths are preventable given access to helpful information.

The CDC and government officials need to promote associations like DONA, a doula organization that offer doula care and certifies many interested in the profession.