Episcopal Health Services’ Doula Care Program supports maternal and neonatal health
Providing supportive, holistic care for women before, during and after childbirth is integral to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Episcopal Health Services launched the Doula Care Program in 2022 to address the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among black and brown women in the community.
The Doula Program — offered in partnership with God’s Love We Deliver, The Allied Foundation Diaper Bank, Love Nana and Ocean Bay Development Corporation — focuses on social determinants of health to ensure holistic care for expectant mothers, addressing economic hardship (i.e., listening to patients and providing the things that they need), food insecurity and transportation needs. The program gives free, culturally sensitive support to expectant mothers, leading to better birth outcomes.
Doulas are integrated not only into the labor and delivery units, but also in mental health screenings and social services. This has led to higher breastfeeding rates, fewer c-sections, less postpartum depression and improved maternal health, demonstrating the effectiveness of a comprehensive, patient-centered approach.
Embedding doulas into hospital workflows and expanding community collaborations will ensure the program’s long-term financial viability and continued impact.
Program outcomes include:
- Improved mental health: A 50% reduction in high-risk Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores and nearly 100% of flagged mothers connected to behavioral health resources, reducing postpartum depression and anxiety rates.
- Higher breastfeeding exclusivity: Rates increased from 8% to 16% (a 50% increase), demonstrating enhanced lactation support and maternal education.
- Increased maternal education engagement: 65% of patients participated in childbirth education, the Centering Program or newborn care classes, improving maternal knowledge and confidence.
For more information about the program, contact Te-Ana Souffrant, perinatal care coordination manager, Obstetrics and Gynecology, at 718.869.5815 or tsouffrant@ehs.org.
