Doula Project

The Community Based Doula Project began in December 2002 and continues today in partnership between the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) and Families First.

The Community-Based Doula Project provides home-based services to first time pregnant adolescents ages 10 to 19. Services are offered in English and Spanish in the Southeast Atlanta, Southwest Atlanta, and Tri-Cities communities.

(Funding for the Doula Project is provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Human Services Department’s Grant Program.)



What is a Doula?
A Doula is a woman from the local community, recruited and trained to provide emotional and physical support to both the teen mother and baby during pregnancy, delivery, and the weeks after birth

 

 

  • Doula are extensively-trained paraprofessionals whose primary function is to offer non-clinical support for both the young mother and the child.
  • Doulas counsel the pregnant teens and their families on the birthing process, breastfeeding, encouraging the mother-child relationship and child and infant development.
  • Doula do not replace a midwife, the father, or the grandparents. They enhance the experience of childbearing.
  • Doula live where they work. The advantage of having a Doula who is recruited from the same neighborhood is her ability to understand the spoken language, and share values, attitudes and experiences with the girls she serves.
  • Doulas impact health care. With a Doulas support and knowledge of the birthing process, young women can better access prenatal care, develop a birth plan, and choose to breastfeed.


What difference does a Doulas make?
Research shows parents who receive Doulas support:

 

  • have a lower incidence of emergency c-sections
  • have shorter labors with fewer complications
  • feel more secure and cared for
  • are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
  • have greater success with breastfeeding
  • have greater self-confidence
  • have less postpartum depression
  • have lower incidence of abuse
  • have significantly better maternal and infant health at six weeks after birth


Community-Based Doula Outcome Data
In 2008, G-CAPP Doulas provided support to 112 teen mothers. When comparing the outcomes of the Doula clients with Georgia data, it becomes evident that the G-CAPP Community-Based Doula Project improves maternal child health outcomes and saves Georgia tax payers money due to lower delivery complications.

  • 18% of the Doula teen clients had c-sections compared to 30% of women in Georgia, saving more than $5000 per birth.
  • 7% of births to Doula teen clients were of low birth weight, compared to 13.5% of births to GA teens, saving at least $14,500 per birth.
  • 79% of Doula teen clients initiated breastfeeding compared 56% of US teens, saving families at least $100 per month in the cost of formula.
  • 66% of the Doula clients initiated monther-infant skin contact within 30 minutes of giving birth.
  • 0% of the Doula clients had a repeat pregnancy while receiving services during 2008.


For more information or to make a referral please call 404-475-6035.

For more Doula information:
 

www.dona.org
www.cappa.net
www.childbirthinternational.com
www.birthworks.org

www.chicagohealthconnection.org


Please be aware that these links do not constitute endorsement.

 

 

Nancy was eager to enroll in the doula program after she was referred by a social worker at the health center where she was receiving prenatal care. She wanted to learn all she could about pregnancy and birth and was also concerned about the growth and development of her baby.

Nancy made the choice to breastfeed before the birth of her baby and even though she faced challenges when he was born early and weighed only 4 lbs13 oz, she persevered and continues to breastfeed her baby at six months!

Nancy graduated from high school and successfully completed the requirements for her diploma by passing the Social Studies section of the Georgia High School Graduation Test.
 
   
On December 5, 2008 Mary called her doula because she thought her water broke. Mary states that she feels calm because she has the support she needs and because her doula visits to inform and explain (interpret) the doctors’ information, and continues to help her understand what she needs to do when her baby is born, especially breastfeeding.