How The Doula Foundation Community Based Doulas and Perinatal Community Health Workers (PCHW) Serve the Community
Benefits of Utilizing Community Based Doula Services:
- Early access to care
- Identifying and addressing lacking social determinants of health
- Lower prenatal & postpartum stress levels
- Reduction of preterm and low birth-weight deliveries
- Fewer ER visits
- Increased access to prenatal care
- Increased vaccinations and well-child visits
- Greater success in breastfeeding
- Fewer neonatal admissions after birth
- Fewer surgical births
- Less likelihood of postpartum depression
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect by promoting stronger maternal and fraternal bond
- Greater confidence in parenting
Outcomes at The Doula Foundation:
- 96% full-term birth
- 92% initiated breastfeeding
- 95% reported satisfaction with the birth experience, showed confidence in mothering, and bonded with their babies
- 85% demonstrated reduction in stress/anxiety
- 100% received adequate prenatal care
- 100% received infant care education and referrals to community resources
Understanding and Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
- Availability of resources to meet daily needs (e.g., safe housing and local food markets)
- Access to educational, economic, and job opportunities
- Access to health care services
- Quality of education and job training
- Availability of community-based resources in support of community living and opportunities for recreational and leisure-time activities
- Transportation options
- Public safety
- Social support
- Social norms and attitudes (e.g., discrimination, racism, and distrust of government)
- Exposure to crime, violence, and social disorder (e.g., presence of trash and lack of cooperation in a community)
- Socioeconomic conditions (e.g., concentrated poverty and the stressful conditions that accompany it)
Our Annual Community Impact
- 1,151 individuals served through educational support, classes, home visitation, case management & community referrals
- 34,530 hours of consultation including prenatal, postpartum, breastfeeding, childbirth & parenting education and support
- 23,400 baby and maternity essentials given to mothers including diapers, wipes, clothes & other needs
