MASSACHUSETTS DOULA COALITION
Every Pregnant Person Deserves a Doula
ABOUT THE COALITION
We are a community-led coalition working to increase access to doula services for all birthing people in Massachusetts, with a focus on low-income clients.
We prioritize inclusivity and representation in the doula workforce, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds can serve their communities.
By advocating for reproductive justice, we strive to make high-quality doula care accessible to all, promoting healthy and positive birthing experiences.
our roadmap
We envision
- A unified and supported doula workforce across the state.
- A culture shift where birth is viewed as normal, safe, transformative and desired.
- Anyone who wants a doula, has one - and doulas reflect and resonate with the community they are caring for.
- Doulas have shared goals, power and influence in decisions about doula services, training, and reimbursement.
We will get there by
- Supporting doulas to build their peer and mentorship networks.
- Building partnerships with pregnant people and providers to reshape the perception around birth.
- Advocating for a sustainable and equitable reimbursement for doulas, and prioritizing pathways for community-based doulas to serve their communities.
- Amplifying doula voices to drive decision making on policies and practices that impact them.
WHAT IS A DOULA?
Doulas are non-medically trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support and guidance during the prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum period.
Community-Based Doulas are typically from the same community as the client, with deeper cultural knowledge and awareness of resources. Access to doulas that share a client's racial and cultural identity strengthens patient experiences and outcomes.
Why doulas?
Research since the 1990's has shown having continuous support from a Doula:
- Reduces unnecessary medical procedures
- Reduces cesarean rates
- Reduces NICU admissions
- Increases breastfeeding initiation
- Increases overall satisfaction from birthing people
- Can reduce inequities for underserved communities by
- Ensuring those facing greatest risks have support
What do Doulas do?
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Hold a calming space to help a pregnant person feel cared for and safe.
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
Assist with comfort measures that reduce discomfort and lead to a more empowered birth experience.
INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT
ADVOCACY
Provide information on benefits and risks of various interventions to ensure informed-decision making by the pregnant person
Support a pregnant persons' informed decision and facilitate communication where needed.
A doula respects the pregnant person's choices and autonomy, supports the sanctity of their intuition and moves calmly beside them through every transition.
Maternal Mortality in Massachusetts 2016 - 2018
Death rate per 1,000 births
Hispanic
White
Black
Asian (API)
Total
8
0
246
Source: March of Dimes - Peristats
Why now?
Because everyone deserves a Doula
Stark racial inequities in maternal mortality and morbidity.
Traditional "Private-pay" models are not accessible for all pregnant people.
Community-based doulas and workforce deserve a living/fair wage.
WHY DO WE NEED COVERAGE?
REDUCE RACIAL DISPARITIES
Black birthing people face higher rates of mortality, morbidity, and infant mortality from pregnancy-related causes compared to
white birthing people.
In Massachusetts, doula support is primarily paid out of pocket making it costly for people seeking support.
DECREASE OUT OF POCKET COSTS
Doula support is shown to positively impact maternal and infant health outcomes while reducing health care costs.
IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
WHY THIS BILL?
An Act Relative to Medicaid coverage for doula services (H.1240/ S.782.) was filed by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa & Sen. Liz Miranda.
The Massachusetts Doula Coalition gathered community feedback via town halls and surveys to inform this bill. This bill will:
- Require that MassHealth cover doula services
- Invest in expanding the size and diversity of the doula workforce in Massachusetts
- Empower doula voices thought implementation
- Ensure access to high quality doula trainings
- Amend the Patient Bill of Rights to ensure the patient right to have their doula present in the hospital
- Establish a Doula Advisory Committee to give doulas and birthing people a role in ensuring implementation of doula coverage is effective, sustainable, and reduces inequities in outcomes
Time to Raise
Our Voice
Support the Doula Bill!
Let's pass an Act Relative to Medicaid Coverage for Doula Services (H.1240/ S.782.) to ensure that doulas are available to the communities most impacted by inequities in maternal health!
We need your help to reimagine the landscape for doulas and pregnant people and families in Massachusetts.
TAKE ACTION WITH US
- Your voice and advocacy make a difference. Â
- Call your elected representatives and ask them to co-sponsor and support (H.1240/ S.782.)
- Raise awareness about doulas with your friends and networks by sharing this information.Â
- Use the #SupportDoulasinMA and #MADoCo to spread awareness on social media.
MASSACHUSETTS DOULA COALITION
madoulacoalition@gmail.com
Boston, MA 02115
madoulacoalition.com
