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Community-Based Doula Project
(Doo-lah, A Greek term meaning birth attendant)

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Imagine you are 16 years old, pregnant, unsure of what is going to happen to you as your body changes; family and friends give up on you; you give up on yourself.  That’s where a Doula comes in. 

What is a Doula?  A doula is a woman trained to provide emotional and social support to a woman during pregnancy, labor and the weeks following birth. 

G-CAPP has taken the classic Doula model and created a community-based program that has extensively trained paraprofessionals providing non-clinical support to pregnant teenagers in Atlanta.  The goal is to improve birth outcomes for low-income teenage mothers and reduce repeat pregnancies. 

Why Doulas for Teenage Pregnancy Prevention?
Although teen pregnancy rates have dramatically declined in Georgia over the past decade, additional births to teens continues to remain high.  Georgia currently has the 5th highest teen birth rate in the country.  G-CAPP believes that urgent attention to this issue is vitally important as part of our mission to eliminate adolescent pregnancy in Georgia.  

Consequences are Serious
The consequences of parenting too soon are well known.  Having a second or higher birth before age 20 has even more long term consequences for the mother, the child, the father and society as a whole.  Nearly 60 percent of teenagers who become mothers are living in poverty at the time they give birth.  Teenage mothers are also less likely to receive timely prenatal care and are more likely to smoke during pregnancy.  These and other factors mean babies born to teen mothers are more likely to be born preterm or low birthweight; and to also be at risk for developmental delays and other health risks associated with poor maternal care. 

There is evidence of a significant relationship between early childbearing and educational outcomes.  Teen mothers have a 60 percent chance of graduating high school by age 25, compared to 90 percent of those who postpone childbearing.  Among teens that have already dropped out, teenage mothers are much less likely to return to school.  Lower educational attainment leads to likelihood of longer term poverty; limited futures and a continuing cycle of poverty that perpetuates disparities for the young parent and her children. 

What Difference Does a Doula Make?
A trained Doula brings a unique blend of skills, knowledge, experience, and a commitment to investing in a trusting relationship with the teen mother.  Community doulas are skillful advocates whose primary role is to be physically and emotionally available to young mothers at a time when important decisions must be made in order to give the new baby a better start. 

How does the Community-based Doula Program work?
In partnership with Families First, Inc., G-CAPP has provided a small team of trained Doulas who conduct weekly home visits to pregnant teenagers in the city of Atlanta.  During these visits, the expectant mothers are encouraged to develop plans for their newborn.  Journaling, developing a birthing plan, education on early child development, and parenting are examples of what the Doulas discuss with the young women.  Making sure she is aware of other community resources that are available for – child care, education and other social services important to building a wrap around system of support for the new mothers.   This is essential work to help create a healthy start for the new baby and position the new young mother to be an advocate for herself and her child. 

Bonding through breastfeeding is another important ingredient to delay subsequent pregnancies.  Research shows that the intervention of a Doula decreases the risk of child abuse, as well as repeat pregnancy.  The combination of health education, empowerment and advocacy is a powerful recipe for preventing teenage pregnancy. 

How Will the Doula House Support the Program?