Doula Services
Boston Community Perinatal Health Initiative (COPHI) addresses disparities in birth outcomes that affect pregnant and postpartum Black and Latina women in Boston. We connect families to doula services to support them during pregnancy and postpartum.
We aim to address disparities in birth outcomes that affect pregnant and postpartum Black and Latina women in the City. This community-based doula program will enhance perinatal systems of care. These systems of care support families during pregnancy and postpartum.
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A doula is a trained professional who provides support to individuals and families before, during, and after childbirth.
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The perinatal period spans across pregnancy, labor, delivery, and through 12 months following delivery. This period is inclusive of all pregnancy outcomes.
Read more about our services and resources below!
Our Doula Services
Participants are connected with a Home visitor and Doula team called a ‘Dyad’ throughout their pregnancy, birth and 12 months after birth.
Families also receive:
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Case management and referral to support services 12 months postpartum.
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A community based full spectrum doula who will work with you, your family, and care team during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
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Support during labor and delivery, and postpartum including assistance once you bring your baby home.
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A postpartum recovery kit to provide comfort after your labor and delivery.
Can I participate?
You are eligible for these doula services if you:
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identify as Black or Latinx
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are no more than 32 weeks pregnant
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are the father of an expectant baby
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are willing to receive full spectrum doula services and postpartum support one year after birth, and
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live in the City of Boston.
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals and families before, during, and after childbirth.
Doulas are different than midwives. Midwives provide medical care, promote healthy births, and facilitate access to medical care for mother and child. Community-based doulas are typically from the same community as the client. They tend to have deeper cultural knowledge and awareness of resources. Access to doulas that share a client's racial and cultural identity strengthens patient experiences and outcomes.
Source: Massachusetts Doula Coalition
Doulas provide information, referrals, and advocacy for services, such as:
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Helping parents make informed choices based on their values.
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Connecting families with additional resources and support.
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Facilitating effective communication between families and their healthcare team.
Families who work with doulas report experiencing:
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Less anxiety
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More confidence in their overall medical team
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Better postpartum mental health
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Deeper family bonding and support for both parents and siblings
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Greater satisfaction with the birthing experience
Source: Dona International
Doula Workforce Development Center
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Boston Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative provides culturally competent training and resources for existing doula and community health workers who serve Boston residents. We provide access to relevant community resources for families going through the birthing process and postpartum.
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We also offer annual community-based doula training for community members who would like to become trained as community-based full-spectrum doulas.
We will have additional information available soon. Check back later!
About the Boston Community Perinatal Health Initiative
The mission of the Boston Community Perinatal Health Initiative (COPHI) is to enhance birth equity in perinatal health by increasing access to high-quality community- based doula services for Black and Latinx families. COPHI aims to grow the Boston doula workforce by training community members as doulas, providing culturally competent training to current doulas, and educating community stakeholders on the advantages of doula services.
Contact Brandy Watts, Director of Boston Community Perinatal Health Initiative, at bwatts@bphc.org.
Resources
Healthy Baby Healthy Child
The Healthy Baby Healthy Child (HBHC) program provides free home visits for pregnant and parenting families in Boston.
Boston Healthy Start Initiative
The Boston Health Start Initiative (BHSI) provides direct support to pregnant and parenting women, children and families. It provides care coordination, connection to resources, health education, and advocacy.
Father Friendly
The Father Friendly Initiative helps men fully involve themselves in their families and communities
Welcome Family
Parents and caregivers are the most influential people to a family's health. BPHC gives new and expecting parents, and their children, access to support for building a healthy future.
