Harlem Families Get Boost In NYC Doula, Midwife Expansion

HARLEM, NY — Help is on the way for expecting parents in Harlem under an expansion of the city's doula and midwife programs, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

Both East and Central Harlem will be among 33 neighborhoods that the city will prioritize while expanding its doula initiative, which connects expecting parents with support from a trained doula before during and after giving birth.

The expansion — aimed at correcting high maternal and infant mortality rates among Black or Latino New Yorkers — will also give a boost to Harlem's Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership and The Mothership birth services. The nonprofits was among seven chosen for more funding to help expand the doula workforce.

“The root causes of racial disparities in maternal health are real, so it’s time we do right by every mother and every baby, no matter the color of their skin or the language they speak,” said Adams, who had included maternal healthcare in his campaign promises.

Black women in New York City are nine times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related causes and have an infant mortality rate more than three times higher than white women, according to the city. The infant mortality rate is twice that of white New Yorkers for Puerto Rican city dwellers.

Doulas — who provide physical and emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth — lower the risk of complications for the parent and infant, according to the city.

Under the multi-million expansion, the city will train 50 doulas by June in the hopes of reaching 500 more families. Priority will be given to certain New Yorkers, including those who are eligible for Medicaid, have had a previous traumatic birth experience, live in a shelter or are in foster care, officials said.

The expansion will also bring the city's Midwifery Initiative to all 38 public and private birthing facilities in New York City. The health department will begin collecting data on births and care with midwives to develop a report on maternal health in the city, officials said.

Find out more here.