FemHealth Insights’ Post

Did you know? Japan Birth Resource Network is the founding chapter of MBRNPC. In 2011, a small group of doulas, parents and women who loved birth came together to talk about options on Okinawa, having an informed birth at the base hospital and connect families with their local resources. Eventually, Birth Talks became bigger and as they grew in numbers, base got wind of the action and directed us to become a Private Organization. As daunting as it was, we figured it out. Officially becoming the Japan Birth Resource Network in 2013. Through several challenges learning the ins and outs of running an organization, dealing with the ever changing turn over of doulas and Military families, pushback from leadership, lack of support from certifying doula organizations, limited interest in our cause from other military and civilian communities, we persisted. In 2016 MBRN was birthed. Created out of our grassroots organization taking what was developed in Okinawa and established it at other duty stations around the world. We've endured many ups and downs, have had to adjust and readjust. Through it all we continued to endure and remain steadfast. Today, this picture popped up in my memories on social media. Reminding me of WHY and where we began. For YEARS, no one was talking about the gaps in care regarding pregnancy, lactation and postpartum support for our Military community. We acknowledge our base programs offer valuable resources, parenting classes, childbirth education through the hospitals and if luck should have it occasional lactation support. We understood how doulas and other birth professionals not associated with base programs or the MTF could add value to our community and had the knowledge, training and ability to support families where base programs and resources were not. It took years to build bridges with some bases and MTF's. Educating leadership that doulas were not midwives delivering babies and we were willing to provide some sort of accountability for professionals within our organization proved to be difficult because new people would come in and we start from square one. Twelve years later, there is still a need for education in this arena. There is need for more doulas to support the Military community and raise awareness about the needs of our Military Community. While our organization continues to evolve, develop, and create solutions, we will never forget WHY. Our WHY is you. Your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period in the Military Health Care system matter. Your experiences matter. To the birth professionals support Military Families, you matter as well. From our own lived experiences, we see where support for you is lacking and why we need continuity of care from one duty station to another.

We're kicking off the week with some exciting news for Black maternal health from DOVE, Inc.! "Baby Dove has launched the Expected Care campaign, which is designed to help Black mothers receive adequate health care during their pregnancies. The program aims to bring awareness to the importance of doula care that can help mothers through every phase of pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum process. According to research, Black women are 3-5 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women; the report also shows that 60% of these deaths were preventable. A study also shows that pregnant women are more likely to experience overall positive health outcomes when they receive support from a doula. Since its launch in 2021, Baby Dove’s Black Birth Equity Project has provided over $650,000 in funding to help mothers acquire doula support. More than 500 women have received the grant so far. The aim of the program is to help close the gap in care and improve health outcomes for Black expectant mothers." Read the full article from Black Enterprise Magazine here: https://lnkd.in/grAdW39R

Celebrating #WorldDoulaWeek24 Doulas are a more valuable than ever to parents navigating the maternity system, providing: 💙 Continuity of support and care 💜 Protection of the birth space (and all that involves) ❤️ Sign posting to stats and evidenced research 🧡 Emotional and physical comfort during labour 💛 Breastfeeding support 💚 Advocacy for parents wishes Studies have show that the benefits of having doula support include: 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)* 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)* 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference Shorter labours by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff.* * taken from Evidenced Base Birth (the website) #worlddoulaweek24 #doulasupport #doulalove #doulacare

The recent From Day One article highlights real stories of transformation, like Aredella McCain's, who experienced a remarkable shift in her second birth with the support of a Stork Club Doula. In a landscape where maternal outcomes vary significantly, especially amongst black women, we're proud to contribute to this change. At Stork Club, we understand the importance of comprehensive care. Our Doula Program doesn't just assist with labor; it's a holistic approach that begins early in pregnancy, ensuring a strong, supportive relationship between the doula and the expectant parent. The positive impact of our program extends beyond individual well-being, contributing to broader initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As Jesse M Remer, a certified doula and international trainer, rightly puts it, "Doulas are one of the most innovative and evidence-based practices." Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/gEFs_nZA to learn more about the transformative stories and the positive impact of our Doula Program. #MaternalHealth #DiversityandInclusion #EmployeeWellbeing #DoulaProgram #TransformativeCare #StorkClubDoula #MakingADifference

Celebrating #WorldDoulaWeek24 Doulas are a more valuable than ever to parents navigating the maternity system, providing: 💙 Continuity of support and care 💜 Protection of the birth space (and all that involves) ❤️ Sign posting to stats and evidenced research 🧡 Emotional and physical comfort during labour 💛 Breastfeeding support 💚 Advocacy for parents wishes Studies have show that the benefits of having doula support include: 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)* 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)* 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference Shorter labours by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff.* * taken from Evidenced Base Birth (the website) #worlddoulaweek24 #doulasupport #doulalove #doulacare

Check out this recent article in the The New York Times about the significant benefits of doula support for expecting families, including reduced medical interventions for mothers and increased parental satisfaction both during and after pregnancy. With a notable gap in maternal support affecting over 6 million women, the role of virtual doula services is becoming increasingly important. These services provide critical birthing education and advocacy, especially in underserved areas. I’m proud that AT&T works with Maven Clinic, a leading telehealth platform focused on family-building, to provide our employees access to no-cost virtual doula support as well as comprehensive pregnancy and postpartum care. What does that look like? Could be chatting with a board-certified OB-GYN at 2am or maybe you think of a question right after you leave the doctor's office. Doesn’t that always seem to happen? With Maven, our employees have access to quality virtual care in between prenatal appointments or whenever they need it. Offering virtual doula support is just one way we help ensure employees have the essential resources they need as they embark on their parenthood journeys. #DoulaCare #EmployeeWellbeing #EmployeeBenefits https://lnkd.in/gyXAwCkn

We're celebrating the powerful work of doulas this World Doula Week. Scheduled during the spring equinox for the historic place of birthwork in ushering in the spring season, world doula week empowers and recognizes doulas all over the world whose work improves the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of birthing parents, newborns and families in birth and in the postpartum period. We're honoring the work of Black doulas in particular, and the work they do to mitigate the barriers their communities experience in accessing (more than) adequate prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. Many believe that popularity of doulas within the Black community is directly proportional to the lack of safe and inclusive labor support that Black birthing people experience from trained medical professionals. These birthworkers offer advocacy, support, and deep understanding to the families they care for. It's time we gave them the credit and resourcing they deserve. While few states (like Oregon, Minnesota, and New Jersey) require Medicaid to reimburse for certified doula services and some urban areas including Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Portland provide community doula services to low-income and at-risk birthing people to help drive down infant mortality and provide perinatal support, there is still more to be done on a national level to help Black people through pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Right now in Mississippi you can support organizations like Sisters in Birth, the MS Mother and Birth Worker Community, the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project, and the Mississippi Birth Coalition to help all Black families get the doula services they need. https://lnkd.in/dmvkpVeH

With maternity services closing across regional SA and a parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma underway, I was interested to learn about the trend of women turning to doulas for non-medical birth support. Research has shown doula care for women during labour and birth is associated with reduced caesarean births, increased breastfeeding initiation and retention, and positive birth experiences. Thanks to Renee Adair and Hannah Dahlen AM for speaking to me about this important topic. https://lnkd.in/ghfg2NsJ

Q: How do you get a doula into your pocket? A: By booking our "long-distance doula" service - and getting all the wisdom and personal support of an experienced doula for a fraction of the price. During the dark pandemic times, Lou and I hit on the idea of offering a cost-effective service for our birth clients which combines prenatal birth preparation and calm, relaxed postnatal confidence-building for the new parents PLUS the reassurance of having your doula on speed-dial during your labour. So for a London-based client the Doula In Your Pocket service could look like this: - Three face to face sessions at the client's home - exploring birth choices, biomechanics of birth and strategies for labour and birth; a special focus on preparing the birth companion; managing the first few days with baby. - Free 24/7 phone/Whatsapp access from 2 weeks before the due date to 2 weeks afterwards. - Two relaxed, confidence-building sessions, again in the client's home, after the birth to explore feeding, sleeping, bathing and generally caring for your baby. OR for just £515 we offer an 100% remote package, exactly the same as the face to face package, with the same content and personalised care - except that we would meet via Zoom/Facetime/Whatsapp video - for a fraction of London-based doula fees! Click on our link to see the full details. https://lnkd.in/edqgY67U

Every family’s journey is unique, and what works for one may not fit for another. In this episode, we explore how parents navigate the overwhelming sea of advice, opinions, and societal pressures to make decisions that align with their individual values, needs, and family dynamics. Whether it's choosing birth methods, parenting styles, or daily routines, we emphasize the importance of trusting your instincts, respecting your partner's voice, and creating a parenting path that feels authentic to you. We'll also dive into how to find balance amidst conflicting advice, build confidence in your choices, and create a family culture that reflects your priorities. It’s not about doing it “right” by someone else’s standards—it’s about discovering what’s right for your family and thriving on your own terms. We also shine a spotlight on Birth Smarter, a platform that provides expert guidance for modern parents to approach childbirth with confidence. Founded by Ashley Brichter, a certified childbirth educator and doula, Birth Smarter offers inclusive, evidence-based education for parents at all stages of pregnancy. Tune in as we share tips from Ashley and discuss how Birth Smarter equips parents to make informed, pressure-free decisions in the delivery room. Connect with Birth Smarter on their website BirthSmarter.com and follow them on Instagram @birthsmarter for more tips and resources!