IMPACT OF OUR COMMUNITY DOULA PROGRAM

 

Through the implementation of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, the conducted research yielded results determining that HMHBA doulas played a pivotal role in reducing perinatal health inequities and disparities, lowering cesarean sections (5.8%) and increasing vaginal births (94.10%)”. 

What Moms Say About Our Doulas

“My doula was supportive of all of my decisions which was awesome. She was amazing which was extremely helpful because I only had her.” (2021 HMHBA Doula Program Evaluation).

“She was checking up on me [even after the contract ended],” underscoring the familial bond that doulas and clients were able to establish throughout both pregnancy and postpartum. (HMHBA Program Evaluation, 2023).

When asked about the birth experience itself, all of the clients mentioned that the education and advocacy skills they received from their doula experience were the most valuable resource they received. (HMHBA Program Evaluation, 2023).

One client shared that the birth plan was the most effective advocacy tool when it came to the birth, stating “My doula made sure that they [doctors and nurses] were following everything. She had me make a poster board for my birth plan so it was blown up and they basically followed everything.” (HMHBA Doula Program Evaluation, 2023).

Facts About Cesarean Section in California

Compared to overall California rates in 2012-2014,

Black women have the highest rates of cesarean section, as they do nationally. In California, the rate is 37.7% for Blacks compared to 32.4% for Whites, and 33.1% overall in the state. The US overall rate is 32.6%, and for Black women it is 35.5% and 32% for White women from 2012-2014. (National Center for Health Statistics, 2017). The Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) rate remains 1-2% in most counties in California, with the exception of Berkeley which is around 4% (California Department of Health, 2012).

Facts About Cesarean Section in Los Angeles County

The cesarean section rate by Los Angeles Service Planning Area (SPA) is 37% in SPA 7 compared to 34.8 in Metro LA (SPA 4), which is the lowest in the county and 38.3% in the San Fernando Valley, which is 2nd highest. The highest in the county is 39% in San Gabriel Valley (SPA 3), where HMHBA is located. (California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, OHIR Vital Statistics Section, 2003-2012).

HMHBA Doula Program Cesarean and VBAC Rates

Outcomes of our 2024-2025 Program Evaluation (n=112) revealed that we have a 28% cesarean rate, 68% vaginal delivery rate, and a 4% VBAC rate which is twice as high as the state of California (Garcia-Meza).

OUR IMPACT

2021 Program Evaluation

A program evaluation (Roger, 2021) of our Happy Mama Healthy Baby Community Doula Program (n=15) showed that we have achieved our goals of lowering cesarean sections (25%) and increasing vaginal births (75%), especially among African-American women (who have the highest rate of cesarean in Los Angeles County).

In addition, we have been effective in reducing premature births (0%) and low birth weight (0%), reducing maternal deaths (0%), increasing exclusive breastfeeding initiation (100%). We also have been effective with identifying mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (45%) and making referrals for treatment.

2022-2023 Program Evaluation

The in-depth analysis of HMHBA’s Community Doula Program (Garcia-Meza, 2023), aimed to assess the efficacy of the program in carrying out optimal health outcomes for the mothers and infants under its care. Through the implementation of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, the conducted research yielded results determining that HMHBA doulas played a pivotal role in reducing perinatal health inequities and disparities, lowering cesarean sections (5.8%) and increasing vaginal births (94.10%). 

Garcia-Meza’s (2023) evaluation HMHBA’s Community Doula Program shows that we have been successful in reducing premature births (5.8%), decreasing maternal deaths (0%), and reducing low birth weight infants (5.88%), increasing exclusive breastfeeding initiation (64.7%), and identifying mothers who have perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (23.5%), and making referrals when needed.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY DOULA PROGRAM

Contact

Cordelia Hanna, MPH, Executive Director

(626) 388-2191 ext. 1