Health Group Tries To Improve African-American Birth Outcomes With Doulas

By Kristian Foden-Vencil (OPB)
Portland, Oregon Nov. 20, 2017 8 a.m.

Oregon’s coordinated care organizations have tried many different ways to improve health among communities of color. The latest effort includes providing doulas for African-American mothers-to-be.

Researchers say the toxic stress of racism and socio-economic factors are responsible for higher rates of premature births, lower birth weights and increased child death among African-American women.

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Kimberly Porter, a doula with the Black Parent Initiatives, said many women of color just aren’t comfortable with the medical system.

“(Many women experience) not getting treated with respect. Being talked down to. Not being given proper information,” she said.

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To counter these issues, FamilyCare Health in Portland is paying for doulas to help women negotiate everything from prenatal care to doctor appointments.

Studies suggest that when women are supported by a doula throughout pregnancy, they are less likely to have a cesarean birth or pre-term birth.

FamilyCare spokeswoman Maegan Pelatt said the goal is to improve patient health and save money.

“If a baby is born prematurely (it can be costly)," Pelatt said. "A one night stay could potentially pay for a doula."

By decreasing the rate of cesarean and pre-term births, care from a doula may reduce Medicaid spending and improve health outcomes for newborns and mothers.

The limited program will start by serving 50 FamilyCare Health members within the first year.

Data from the program will be tracked and analyzed by FamilyCare Health to ensure it produces the anticipated cost and health outcomes.

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