Black Californians die from pregnancy-related complications at rates nearly four times higher than the general population.
The state and Los Angeles County are trying to increase access to doula support, which research shows can bring healthier outcomes to moms and babies.
“Honestly, it's not a luxury,” said Los Angeles doula and birthing rights advocate Michelle Sanders on LAist’s AirTalk. “It's essential to have someone there for you, another set of eyes and ears, to help make sure that if things are not going well, that you have an advocate there.”
Doulas are not doctors or midwives. They provide emotional, educational, and advocacy support.
We've written a whole guide about doulas — including how to find one in Southern California. Lea la guía en español.
“You can equate it to a personal trainer, but for pregnancy,” Sanders said. “We want to know, 'What are your goals? What is it that you want this birthing experience to look like?' And we want to make sure that you have all of the information to then advocate for yourself, and navigate the health care system.”
It can cost at least several hundred to several thousand dollars to hire a doula, and most private health care insurance won’t pay for their services.
California’s public insurance program for low-income families, Medi-Cal, started covering doula support this year and there are free and low-cost doula programs.
One resource Sanders recommends is the Black Birthing Bill of Rights created by the National Association to Advance Black Birth.
A few of those rights include:
“If you're not feeling seen and heard by your providers, then you have a right to find a provider that you do feel comfortable with,” Sanders said. “That you do feel they are able to see you and hear you and treat you with the respect that you deserve.”
Sanders is among the advocates calling for accountability in the wake of the January childbirth death of an Inglewood woman. April Valentine’s family said she complained about swelling and numbness in her legs multiple times and that she was denied access to the doula who had long been a part of her birth plan.
The California Department of Public Health recommended in June 2021 that a doula be permitted in the hospital room in addition to the patient’s desired support people.
In response to questions from LAist about its doula policy, the Centinela Hospital Medical Center spokesperson wrote that patients are permitted two visitors in addition to a doula, who is considered a support person.
Sanders said while a hospital’s written policy may permit doulas, that isn’t always the case in reality.
“That policy is really left up to interpretation of whoever's on shift,” Sanders said. “It may be the security at the desk who has not gotten the memo or doesn't really care if you're a doula or not. It may be the charge nurse that night, or it could be the actual physician.”
These resources were recommended by California birth workers and families. Have a suggestion? Email sritoper@scpr.org.
For more on specific topics, see LAist’s pregnancy guides.
Mental Health
Breastfeeding
Doulas / Postpartum Support
Doulas provide expecting and new mothers or birthing people with educational, emotional, and physical support before, during, and after a baby is born. Postpartum doulas’ services can include cooking, help around the house, and various healing modalities. Pro tip: many postpartum doulas are available pro-bono while they are seeking certification.
Support Groups
Many support groups and parent and me classes exist throughout Southern California, and the best way to find one is to search online for groups in your area. You might also find these groups through your hospital or places where you find breastfeeding gear. It sometimes helps to look for activities you enjoy (eg. yoga, swimming, dancing) and see if they have “baby and me” classes.
A few places to start:
For Black Parents-to-Be
For Partners / Fathers
Loss / Grief
Social Services
