Doulas complete training in postpartum care through Great Start Collaborative
The Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties recently wrapped up the second phase of its doula initiative: postpartum training.
Over the past year, the collaborative has worked to bring both birth doula and postpartum doula training to Northern Michigan, decreasing obstacles for those wishing to become professional doulas and filling a growing need for doula services, which are now covered by Michigan Medicaid in addition to private insurance and private payment.
The four-day DONA International Postpartum Doula training wrapped on Oct. 16, 2023, launching 18 postpartum doulas into the community. “These doulas are prepared to serve postpartum people and their immediate family,” said Cool.
Postpartum doula services are most often provided in the first six months following pregnancy, labor and delivery, when the family as a whole, and each member, are adjusting to the new dynamics, roles, and demands of parenting, said Cool.
Most of these newly trained postpartum doulas also participated in the DONA International Birth Doula training offered by the Great Start Collaborative in May, in addition to participating in additional equity training to ensure they have been provided the training, education, and resources necessary to support all community members.
“Postpartum doulas provide essential support in this time of transition. They help families balance the new demands and heavier load, and they provide a safe space for families to share successes, struggles, or concerns that may arise along the way,” said Cool.
This training was made possible with the financial support of the Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties, Great Start Collaborative of Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle, Hestia Women’s Giving Circle, and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.
“We are incredibly hopeful that pregnant and postpartum people in our community will have increased access to the support of both birth and postpartum doulas. In fact, Michigan Medicaid recipients are eligible to receive the support of MDHHS certified doulas before, during, and after pregnancy at no out of pocket expense,” said Cool.
“Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their baby. Doula services have been shown to positively impact social determinants of health, support birth equity, and decrease existing health and racial disparities. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.”
Locate a doula
To learn more about the doulas who have completed the birth or postpartum doula trainings hosted by the collaborative, and to see a listing of the doulas who have worked to contract with Michigan Medicaid health plans and are now able to service Michigan Medicaid recipients at no out-of-pocket expense to the family, visit: https://greatstartcollaborative.org/projects
What is a doula?
Doulas are non-clinical, trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant individuals during the prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum periods helping them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their baby. In addition, doula services have been shown to positively impact social determinants of health, support birth equity, and decrease existing health and racial disparities. Doulas can have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.
Photos
Top of page – The group of doulas recently trained in delivering postpartum care are pictured at the conclusion of training in October 2023.
Doulas 2 – Participants in the postpartum doula training take part in an activity together during training in October 2023.