Doulas Working in Prisons

Most of us will never have to worry about being incarcerated during our pregnancies.  Nonetheless, the voices of birthing mothers in prison are important for all of us to hear.  According to doulas Marianne Bullock and Vicki Elson of the Prison Birth Project (PBP), most mothers who are incarcerated have committed nonviolent crimes, and represent the most disadvantaged segments of our society.  Other doulas might choose to reach out to this population, and the work of PBP can serve as their guide.  When I learned about PBP, this statement struck me the most powerfully:  "Of all the women who have ever received PBP’s doula services and then been released, only one has returned to jail so far. We believe that doula care is stopping a cycle of violence and trauma to mother and baby during delivery, and helping women to have the tools to make healthier choices. Other prison birth programs report similar decreases in recidivism."  Visit the PBP Web site to learn how you can help, at theprisonbirthproject.org.  (Ways to help are as simple as writing a Mother's Day message that will be delivered to an incarcerated woman via the PBP Web site.)  Marianne Bullock and Vicki Elson tell the story of PBP below.

How My Mother’s Death Makes Me Fear Motherhood

The loss of a mother affects a woman whether she chooses to have children of her own, chooses not to, or finds herself becoming a mother after years of believing she was not destined to do so.  Nicole Clark is a social worker and activist who writes about her personal experience with this below.  To view her full Web site, which contains a wealth of information about a broad range of reproductive health and justice issues, click here.  (Another pioneer on the topic of motherless daughters is Hope Edelman, whose books explore many issues, including the helpful role of doulas in supporting women who have experienced mother loss as they become mothers themselves.  Also, women whose mothers are not deceased, but who were absent due to other challenges, sometimes relate to these same issues.)  I am grateful to Nicole Clark for sharing her story here.

Latina women, reclaim your birth power!

Latina mothers have a rich childbearing heritage to draw upon.  Maria Apreza is a doula and Spanish medical interpreter serving the Seattle area. She is passionate about immigrant and women’s rights. Maria also volunteers her services through Open Arms Perinatal Services, a local non-profit that provides doulas free of charge to low-income women of color.  She lives with her husband and four kids.  Originally from Mexico, she enjoys teaching women how to use the rebozo in pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.  Click here for an excellent list of resources and information on the rebozo that she has collected.  Maria Apreza reflects upon her personal heritage and her professional experience in the inspiring essay below.

Birthing Project USA is saving lives

Birthing Project USA connects volunteers and pregnant women within the African American community and other underserved communities, with the goal of reducing infant mortality and strengthening at-risk families.  Volunteers are known as "Sister Friends" who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year postpartum.  Chapters exist in cities across the USA and internationally.  The project's founder, Kathryn Hall-Trujillo, has been recognized as a CNN Hero.  Birthing Project USA has supported mothers affected by Hurrican Katrina, provided scholarships to adolescent mothers pursuing a college education, reduced infant mortality rates in high-risk communities, and mentored thousands of young families.  Donations and volunteers are needed to help this important work continue -- visit www.birthingprojectusa.org/intro.html to get involved.  Below, Birthing Project USA describes their accomplishments over the past 25 years and their goals for the future.

Everyone can support African American doulas and mothers

I want to let everyone know about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing, an organization that trains doulas and midwives throughout the USA, with a special emphasis on preventing infant mortality and promoting breastfeeding in the African American community, where infant mortality rates are the highest in the nation.  Any person is welcome to attend an ICTC doula training or conference, locate a doula trained by ICTC, apply for membership in the organization, and make donations to support their work.  (For more information about the role of doulas in reducing prematurity and infant mortality, see pages 9-11 of my book, The Doula Guide to Birth.)