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Community-Based Doula Support

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SBCC’s community-based doula Program, once known as- Helping Hands, Loving Hearts, began as a pilot program in 2010 with 15 doula trainees. We are the only certifying, training and replication site of Health Connect One in LA county.

Over the years SBCC has continued to train and provide no-cost doula support to the community.  In 2022 the doula program expanded and now offers support in the South Bay, South Los Angeles and Antelope Valley’s Lake LA area. We currently have partnerships with Children’s Institute, DCFS and Sisters of Watts.  SBCC’s doulas have partnered with hundreds of families offering our support and services at no-cost to those who qualify.

Community-based doulas provide culturally sensitive emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing individuals and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Our participants receive prenatal, birth, and lactation education. Linkages to health care, continuous birth support, postpartum support, screenings for perinatal mood disorders, referrals to local resources, and parenting education with a focus on bonding and attachment.

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“Our doulas come from the communities they serve, and share lived experience with our participants. We first and foremost build relationships with our birthing families. For our participants, it is important to feel connected to the doula since she is providing support at a very crucial time in their lives”.

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SBCC Differentiator

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Private doulas and community-based doulas both provide support to expectant and new parents during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Private doulas typically charge a fee for their services, which can vary widely depending on the region and the level of experience of the doula. Private doulas are often seen as a luxury only afforded by the affluent.

Community-based doulas, on the other hand believe that all birthing people deserve the support of a doula. Our doulas begin working with the family in the last trimester and continue to support the family well into the postpartum period. They work in partnership with community organizations, healthcare providers, and our services are provided at no-cost.  

Our doulas typically work with underserved populations who may not have access to other forms of support. Our community-based doulas play a crucial role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in under-resourced areas where access to care is limited.

Another key difference between private doulas and community-based doulas is their training and certification. Private doulas may have a wide range of training and may or may not be certified by a professional organization, while our community-based doulas are required to complete a 6-month training program and are certified by Health Connect One’s community-based doula organization.

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Description

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SBCC’s Community Based Doulas offer prenatal, labor, lactation, and postpartum support to under-served and at-risk women and teens who are pregnant or have recently given birth. SBCC doulas strive to build strong relationships with the new mothers they work with, while offering physical, emotional, and educational support and advocacy. Studies have shown that women in low-income groups experience sub-standard care and have consistently poorer maternal outcomes. As members of a larger network, SBCC’s doulas work with community partners to connect families to appropriate resources.
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Quotes:

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"The best thing about the community-based doula program is the sense of community, the unwavering and nonjudgmental support, and the sense of empowerment it provided".

 -Courtney R.

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"The best thing about the community-based Doula program is all the help and support we get from them".

-Sandra G.

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"The best thing about the community-based Doula program is the people. My doula Beverly not only brought me comfort and knowledge about being a first time mom, but she also made me feel empowered and ready for motherhood. She was there for me with any questions or concerns I had. When I felt like giving up during my birth Beverly was there holding my hand to remind me that I was able to do it. This program will forever hold a special place in my heart".❤️

 -Valeria R.

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"The best thing about the community-based Doula program is the validation and support I was given as a teenage mom. The classes they offered were so helpful and Beverly has always been available with information whenever I have had a question."

-Vanessa M.

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The best thing about the community-based Doula program is the compassionate care and company during the journey from pregnancy to birth. They offer a wonderful range of information and resources. Our labor and birth experience was the best, better than anything imaginable! 

- Katy Fernandez Pardal

The Community Based Doula program at SBCC gave me the support I needed to have my dream birth. I felt so empowered by what I learned at the classes and having a doula at my birth was so helpful. I am forever grateful for Tina and the doula team.

-Michelle Zavala

The absolute best part about having a community-based Doula is gaining knowledge and power during child birth that you never knew you had.
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-Tiara Thomas

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Benefits of having a Community Based Doula:

1.    Increased access to care: Community-based doulas are often located in under-resourced areas where access to maternal health care is limited. They provide a critical source of support for women who may not have access to traditional healthcare services.

2.    Improved birth outcomes: Studies have shown that having the support of a doula present during labor can lead to shorter labor, decreased need for pain medication, fewer cesarean sections, and fewer preterm births.

3.    Lower healthcare costs: By providing continuous support during pregnancy and childbirth, community-based doulas can help reduce the need for costly medical interventions and postpartum care.

4.    Enhanced lactation rates: Doulas are trained to assist with lactation and can provide guidance and support ….

5.    Cultural sensitivity: Community-based doulas are often from the same community as the families they serve and are therefore better able to understand and respect cultural differences.

6.     Long-term benefits: Studies have shown that having a doula can improve a caregiver’s mental health and well-being, leading to improved long-term outcomes for both the caregiver and the baby. Overall, community-based doulas can play a crucial role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in under-resourced areas where access to care is limited.

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Ask:

In continued support of bonding and attachment we would like to ask for babywearing wraps. Each participant would receive a wrap with instructions on wearing and information of the benefits of baby wearing.  

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Did you know that baby wearing has been around in many cultures for 100’s of years? But has only recently become the norm in the USA.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babywearing as a way to reduce, prevent crying and promote closeness and attachment.

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