Post by Hera on Oct 15, 2013 12:00:58 GMT -7
Sunday on NewsHour Weekend, a report about By My Side Birth Support, a NYC program that provides free doula services to women living in low-income, largely African-American neighborhoods where rates of maternal mortality are high.
Doulas -- ancient greek for 'a woman who serves' -- aren't doctors or midwives, but give support to expectant mothers before, during and after childbirth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's latest statistics, nationwide, black women are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women. In New York City, it's almost seven times higher: an average of 63 deaths per 100,000 births for black women compared to 9 deaths per 100,000 births for white women.
Can these doulas make a difference?
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For the complete story and video:
www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/10/can-doulas-make-a-difference.html
Doulas -- ancient greek for 'a woman who serves' -- aren't doctors or midwives, but give support to expectant mothers before, during and after childbirth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's latest statistics, nationwide, black women are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women. In New York City, it's almost seven times higher: an average of 63 deaths per 100,000 births for black women compared to 9 deaths per 100,000 births for white women.
Can these doulas make a difference?
-----
For the complete story and video:
www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/10/can-doulas-make-a-difference.html