Henrico Doula program now enrolling pregnant women

The Henrico Doula program, a joint effort of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts and Birth in Color RVA, is now enrolling pregnant women.

The program, which began last year, offers free doula care to Black pregnant women in Henrico. Women will be matched with doulas (trained, non-clinical birth workers who provide physical, emotional and informational support to women throughout pregnancy, during labor and birth, and into the early postpartum period) who come from their same culture and background, according to the RHHD.

The program is designed to increase the number of Black women who experience health pregnancies, since statistics show that they often have more pregnancy-related challenges.

“Steep disparities exist in outcomes for Black birthing people and babies in Henrico County, as they do across the United States,” according to RHHD maternal and health nurse Whitney Tidwell. “Nationally, Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-associated complications than white women, and Black babies have the highest rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, both of which are leading causes of infant death.

“These increased risks exist for Black pregnant persons regardless of age, income, and education.”

It’s common to establish doula care during the second trimester of pregnancy, according to Tidwell, but earlier care gives a woman more time to get to know her doula and receive education and support.

Eligible Henrico women are able to be paired with a doula as soon as their pregnancies are confirmed.

To apply for the Doula Program, visit http://www.tinyurl.com/henricodoula.