The Farmworker Doula Program and the Amor de Madre Program train experienced Promotoras as Doulas, or birth attendants, to guide and support women through pregnancy, childbirth and care of a newborn. Farmworker and immigrant women and other medically-underserved women are often unfamiliar with the health care system and hospital procedures. Prenatal and post-partum care is often sporadic, with many missed appointments due to transportation problems, misunderstandings and a lack of appropriate social support. The Doulas remove barriers to prenatal care, provide emotional and educational support to pregnant women and their partners and support women during the birth process. They also assist with translation at medical visits and explain cultural differences to health care providers. In the Amor de Madre Program, Promotora Doulas are able to provide follow-up services to new mothers throughout the first year post-partum. Migrant Health Promotion has implemented Doula programs in both migrant communities in Michigan and in border communities in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
"This is how women have been giving birth in Mexico always - with another woman around to just help them so they won't be afraid. I think my grandmother even used to help women in the village where my family came from. If she was alive I think she would be very surprised to know that I am doing it here in America."-Sonia Perez, Doula and Promotora
"People think that the farmworker Doulas work for me and help me. But the truth is just the opposite. Really it's the pregnant woman and the Doula doing all the work. I just come in at the time of birth to work for and help the farmworker Doula."-Jack Schneider, MD, Sparta Health Center, Sparta, MI
Results
In 2007-2008, three Doulas provided prenatal education classes to 483 people and actual doula services to 163 women in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Their work contributed to a dramatic decrease in Caesarean section rates among first-time mothers – less than 8% of first-time mothers assisted by Doulas gave birth by Caesarean section, compared to 44.5% of Hispanic women in Cameron County overall (2002-2004; http://soupfin.tdh.state.tx.us/birth.htm)
LEARN MORE about how our programs are improving health outcomes.
Materials
Migrant Health Promotion Doula Manual
Profile
Mary Jane Velasquez, Doula and Promotora
A Story from the Program
One woman's greatest fear was that her baby would be taken from her and put up for adoption because she could not read or speak English. She had heard stories of how people like her were tricked into giving their babies away. Her fear kept her from seeking prenatal care until her Doula intervened. Through the trust established with her Doula, the woman overcame her fear and never missed another appointment. She gave birth to a healthy baby at the hospital and was tearfully grateful for the support her Doula provided.