NEW YORK, NEW YORK (August 11, 2022)  — Today, the New York City Council passed a bill that will require DOHMH establish a pilot program in New York City, that will start in October 2022 and continue through June 30, 2024, to train doulas and provide no-cost professional doula services to New Yorkers across the five boroughs.

Those served by the pilot program will be based on TRIE (Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity) neighborhoods, as defined by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Doulas will be trained in subject matters including birth equity, trauma-informed care, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, navigating the hospital environment, and support services available to low-income women, birthing people, and their families.

By working to build this awareness and pipeline of birth aides, parents will not only gain access to potentially life-saving support, but this program will also increase employment opportunities for New Yorkers. The program must train no fewer than 50 doulas, and each participating birthing parent is entitled to continuing care from a provider. 

Doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support, and provide an additional advocate in the room who can ensure a positive and safe birth. Additionally, well-trained doulas are positioned to advocate for women of color in ways that have been shown to help reduce contributing factors of maternal mortality. Studies suggest that increased access to doula care, especially in under-resourced communities, can improve a range of health outcomes for mothers and babies, lower healthcare costs, reduce c-sections, decrease maternal anxiety and depression, and help improve communication between low-income, racially/ethnically diverse pregnant women and their health care providers.

“As a new mother who gave birth with a doula by my side, I am deeply proud that this is my first bill to be passed as a New York City Council Member. Between 2019 and 2020, overall maternal mortality in the U.S. rose by 14%, but increased by 26% among Black women. Mortality was three times higher among Black women compared to white women,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “These statistics paint a picture of a wildly inequitable healthcare system. These rates are unacceptable, especially when we have known for decades that access to doula care can significantly improve these rates and save lives. Doula care is a human-driven approach that centers on the individual needs of each birthing person, which can root out the ubiquitous issues of racial bias and the resulting poor health outcomes that exist throughout our healthcare system.” 

The Doula Pilot Program is part of a package of Maternal Health Bills the Council Member is proud to support that passed in the New York City Council today, that work to combat Black and brown maternal and infant mortality. 

Full details for Int 0472, introduced alongside CM Louis, can be found here, under 8. Proposed Int. No. 472-A – 8/4/22.

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