Well-Mama Doula Project
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) persons experience profound maternal health disparities in the U.S., including rising rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. In fall 2021, CHET was awarded a five-year grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to enhance doula care support for BIPOC birthing persons. This study will develop a Well-Mama intervention for pregnant and postpartum BIPOC persons, centered on community doula navigators conducting in-person and telehealth check-ins on five priority areas (mental health, cardiovascular symptoms, safety, opioid/substance abuse and social support), supplemented with virtual support groups and labor support. We will conduct a randomized trial in Chicago, Newark and Baton Rouge to evaluate the impact of the Well-Mama intervention on patient receipts of prenatal and postpartum care.