Every woman needs support.

For black women, those needs triple.

What is a doula, anyway?

DONA International defines a doula as being “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

Statistics show that women who hire doulas as part of their birth team:

-Have a 50% decrease in their risk of having a C-section
-Enjoy shorter labors (up to a 25% decrease in length)
-Have a 60% decreased chance for requesting an epidural
-Experience an 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
-Are 2 times less likely to experience a birth complication
-Are 4 times less likely to have a low birth weight baby
-More likely to breastfeed
SOURCES: American Pregnancy Association, Evidence-Based Birth,
March of Dimes

It is important to note that black women experience the highest rates of birth and postpartum complications and maternal mortality, and are up to 3 times as likely to die during the perinatal period as their white counterparts.

Make no mistake, and I don’t shy away from this - mainstream maternal healthcare systems are broken more often than not.
Women of ANY and all colors entering them must be armed with support.
I support any and all women.
But if you are a black woman going to the hospital to give birth, being informed of your option to hire a doula could be a literal matter of life or death.

You need your advocate that will pay attention to your health and needs, first.