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Babies
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babies.
“We felt it was very important to advocate
for policy that made a difference for moth-
ers and babies. And in reproductive health
as well as in other areas of healthcare, the
issue of culturally specific services kept ris-
ing to the top as we searched for an effec-
tive intervention.”
may have to travel miles to see a doctor.
“The research shows that to the extent that
the healthcare workforce is trained in cul-
turally competent service delivery then the
outcomes are better for communities of
color,” Purcell says. She notes that the
Latino community has used community
health workers very successfully, as ‘pro-
madoras’, or health promoters.
National research has shown that using
doulas or similar community health work-
ers, reduces the use of medical interventions
such as caesarian deliveries (50 percent
reduction), speeds birth, and lowers depres-
sion rates in new mothers.
The ‘Listening to Mothers Report,’ a
national study created by
Boston
University School of Public Health for the
nonprofit Childbirth Connection, reported
that, “Doulas and midwives were the most
highly rated providers of labor support, yet
were used for this purpose far less frequent-
ly than other types of providers.”
“In the United States we are not as baby-
friendly as we say we are,” Monroe says.
“Most of our mothers feel afraid, and under-
valued. They don’t go to childbirth classes.
But our doulas do empowerment childbirth
classes. They make sure mothers have
resources and they support women through
the pregnancy right through to helping with
breastfeeding and after the birth.”
research Supports use of Doulas
trained, certified and out of Work
The Oregon Coalition to Improve Birth
Outcomes, which includes Multnomah
County Healthy Birth Initiative, Regence
Blue Cross Blue Shield and ICTC, sees
doulas as a first-line resource for preventing
infant deaths, especially in communities of
color, but also in rural areas where women
Monroe points out that doulas trained
through ICTC must pass tests, meet bench-
marks and certification requirements, and
attend continuing education classes. Their
services are in demand. In fact, local hospi-
tals often refer women to ICTC’s Full Circle
doula services. But because the profession
A research brief by the Urban League of
Portland points to race-related stress as one
crucial factor, along with poor housing, eco-
nomic uncertainty, unsafe neighborhoods
and lack of education. It recommends a
community-led, hospital-sponsored doula
program to combat the problem.
“The lifelong stress of dealing with
racism can have a physical impact,” says
Midge Purcell of the Urban League of
Portland. “Even African American women
who are so-called middle-class, have higher
education degrees and relatively well paid
jobs, still tend to have lower birth-weight
Even Black women
who are middle-class
... tend to have lower
birth-weight babies
Bishop Tyson establishing the Garden at Goodwill Missionary Baptist
Church, Seattle.
been opened for doulas to be recognized
and funded, but she said that to be success-
ful the effort will need backing from a wide
range of community members.
The doula bill was just one of several
healthcare bills backed by the Urban
League that tackled this crucial issue of cul-
tural competence. A coalition of minority
advocates had hoped to make cultural com-
petence training a requirement for licensing
in the medical professions. Purcell said
advocates are disappointed that their efforts
failed this time around. Still, they will con-
tinue to push for improved training for med-
ical professionals, and also for the state to
recognize community health workers as a
necessary and integral part
of the healthcare delivery
system.
Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch
“We have seen through
testimony,
time and time
& McGee Funeral Home
again, that the specific
Von D. Bailey
needs of communities are
often not understood and
Funeral Director
that they are overlooked,”
20 NE 14th Avenue
Purcell said. “There’s a
Portland, OR 97232
place for community health
503-232-4111
workers to take on part of
that health promotion and
Fax 503-231-1586
prevention. They are trusted
von.bailey@sci-us.com
and that’s really important.”
is not a recognized part of the medical care
system, health insurance doesn’t cover their
services.
The low-income and minority women
who really need doulas don’t have money to
pay for them, Monroe says. And while
doulas often do volunteer, because they
know their communities need them, they
can’t afford to work for free.
“I see doulas leaving the profession to
take other kinds of jobs because they need
to be paid,” she said. “We’re losing experi-
enced doulas because they just can’t attend
a birth and work 18 hours, two or three
times a month with no pay.”
Monroe is pleased that the door has now
FGPA
JUNE CONVENTION CONFERENCE
June 23, 24, 25 2011
THEME
“The Faith Jesus Seeks On The Earth At His Return"
Luke 18:1-14
Presiding Bishop A.A. Wells
•June 23rd, Evangelistic Service @ 7:00pm
•June 24th, Evangelistic Service, Women @ 7:00pm
•June 25th, Christian Education, Organization @ 10:00 – 2:00pm
•June 25th, Official Night @ 7:00pm
Vancouver Full Gospel Church
311 W. Evergreen Bv
Vancouver, Wa 98660 (360) 694-5236
Page 6 The Portland Skanner June 22, 2011