Pathways to Sustainability: Documenting the Impacts of Doulas — Qualitatively and Quantitatively

This webinar is part of AMCHP’s Pathways to Sustainability webinar series featuring Safer Childbirth Cities Grantees. Register for the whole webinar series.

The REACHUP, Inc. team of Ankita Patel, Doula Program Manager for the GROWTH with Doulas and Dads program, and Ronee Wilson, PhD, Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiologist with expertise in disparity-related community-engaged research, will share about their community-based doula program in Tampa, FL. REACHUP, Inc. is a non-profit community-based organization whose work has impacted its community through health advocacy, research, and education. The mission of REACHUP, Inc., is to advocate for and mobilize resources to help communities achieve equality in healthcare and positive health for families. The REACHUP team is producing a journey map that illustrates the successes of their Safer Childbirth Cities community doula program. To date, their program has served nearly 600 birthing people and families. Moving beyond quantitative data, the team is working to document the journey of doulas and families to truly demonstrate the impact that this program has had on lives. One unique aspect of this project is the ability of qualitative documentation to acknowledge the emotional toll of doula work, as they provide emotional support and experience the joys and the sorrows alongside families while they are also caring for their families at home.

Our second presentation for the day will come from Stephanie Spencer, Founder and Executive Director of Urban Baby Beginnings (UBB). UBB is a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people and their families in the Hampton Roads and Central Virginia areas. The organization provides a range of services and programs, including prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding support, childbirth education, and doula services. UBB also advocates for policy changes that support maternal and child health and well-being. The UBB team is working to create a report that summarizes the impact of the work, identifies barriers and gaps in services and support, and works toward sustained impact through a collective impact approach. The ultimate goal of collecting this data is to improve the health and well-being of low-income, Black, and Latinx communities by addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable access to quality maternal and child health services.

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