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.”
What Rights Do Birthing Parents & Doulas Have In Hospitals?
Doulas are not doctors or midwives. They provide emotional, educational, and advocacy support.
“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.
What to expect (and demand) from your pregnancy and postpartum care
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