Nurturing Roots Postpartum Doula & Fatherhood Support Services
POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT AND BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR BLACK FAMILIES
Our Community Partners
PARENTS, DID YOU USE ONE OF OUR DOULAS? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO TELL US ABOUT HER SERVICES!
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM:
Evaluation of Birth Doula or Postpartum Doula
TO ENROLL OR GET INFORMATION, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM:
Parent Request For Doula & Lactation Services
Go here to learn more about our Doulas.
ABOUT NOURISHING ROOTS POSTPARTUM DOULA PROGRAM
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
African-American/Black new mothers and pregnant women in their third trimester (7-9 months) or who have a baby under 3 months of age. Must live in Los Angeles County and be Medi-Cal eligible to qualify for this service.
If you are not African-American/Black, or are Black/African-American but do not have Medi-Cal, please check out our Postpartum Doula Services. We serve families of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and may accept your PPO insurance.
African-American/Black fathers are eligible to join our Fatherhood Support Program and do not have to have partners enrolled in our program to participate.
WHAT A POSTPARTUM DOULA CAN DO FOR YOU:
Each family may receive up to 24 hours of postpartum doula services by a Certified Postpartum Doula free of charge. Services include:
- Help with grocery shopping and meal preparation;
- Instruction on Pumping and Storage of Breastmilk;
- Assistance with grocery shopping;
- Baby laundry;
- Education on newborn appearance, behavior and growth and development;
- Nursery/baby room organization;
- Support for breastfeeding concerns and problems such as low milk supply, sore nipples and engorgement;
- Assistance with mother’s physical recovery;
- Instruction on newborn care: diapering, swaddling, sling use, bathing, massaging, and soothing techniques;
- Emotional Support and Assessment for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression, etc.);
- Respite care for tired parents (in-home overnight care);
- Postpartum health and breastfeeding education
- Family Planning Education
WHAT THE POSTPARTUM DOULA OFFERS:
Emotional Support
- Encouragement
- Reassurance
- Empathy
- Praise
- Affirmation
Physical Comfort
- Suggest methods for healing of perineum
- Suggest comfort measures for postpartum Afterpains, sweating, breast soreness, etc.
- Provide mother with support for breastfeeding baby
- Massage mother and/or teach infant massage
- Utilize aromatherapy for relaxation
Advocacy & Education
- Help client communicate with doctors and nurses
- Educates about risks and benefits of newborn procedures (circumcision, Newborn Screen Test, etc.)
- Teach how to manage breastfeeding
- Teach how to diaper, swaddle, soothe, and bathe newborn
- Educate on how to know if baby is getting enough breastmilk
- Explain what the doctor, midwife or nurse wants to do and why
- Inform clients of risks and benefits of newborn medical decisions
- Encourages informed decision-making regarding their baby’s care
- Encourages Informed Consent and Refusal when making medical decisions
- Help the client and her partner decide what they want to do
- Provides language interpretation if needed
- Encourages Client’s Religious/Spiritual Practices
- Advocates for Respect of Client’s Cultural Traditions
- Protects Client Privacy and Intimacy
- Ensure each mamababy is treated with kindness, dignity and respect
Recognize & Refer
The postpartum doula will educate client and refer to primary medical provider if there are:
- Danger signs of postpartum woman
- Danger signs in the newborn
FAQ’s ABOUT POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT
“I have family members who can help me after the baby comes home. What can a Postpartum Doula do that my family cannot?
Expectant new parents often find it helpful to understand the difference between the support they can get from family members during the postpartum time—like helping with laundry, grocery shopping, tidying up the kitchen, and preparing meals—and the specialized assistance a Certified Postpartum Doula offers. Postpartum Doulas are here to lend a hand with overnight newborn care, making sure you get the rest you need, along with help with baby laundry, grocery runs, and meal prep. Their services go beyond what family members can typically provide, thanks to their unique expertise.
A Certified Postpartum Doula can support you in many meaningful ways, such as:
• Checking on your physical recovery after birth, like postpartum bleeding, infections, or incision healing;
• Noticing emotional or mental health changes that might need some extra attention, and offering referrals if needed;
• Providing essential newborn care, including checks for jaundice, feeding issues, or circumcision care;
• Recognizing any unusual behaviors in your baby, like excessive sleepiness, and helping address challenges with breastfeeding due to medical interventions or separation right after birth, using gentle methods to encourage natural behaviors and support successful breastfeeding;
• Teaching soothing techniques for fussy babies, like swaddling, baby-wearing, bathing, and safe sleep practices;
• Offering guidance on breastfeeding and helping foster that precious bond between you and your baby.
These examples show just a few of the wonderful ways a Certified Postpartum Doula can provide caring, skilled support for both moms and their newborns, going above and beyond what family members can usually do.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
This program is funded by LA Care’s Generating Support for African-American Infants and Nurturer’s Program. This project will benefit low-income and uninsured residents of Los Angeles County. This program aims to improve survival rates and reduce medical 
complications following childbirth for African-American infants and mothers.
Pregnancy-related mortality rates among Black women are more than three times higher than the rate for White women. Infants born to Black women are more than twice as likely to die compared to those born to White women, and economic status is not a factor. Instead, the disparities are rooted in systemic racism. Today, L.A. Care is announcing that it is committing $1.225 million* to benefit ten community-based organizations, policy research agencies, and clinical providers to help close the historic and widening health disparity gap. L.A. Care Health Plan launched the Generating African American Infant and Nurturers’ Survival Initiative (GAAINS) last year, with an initial $1 million commitment for eight organizations working toward that end.
“This initiative recognizes that nurturers, which include mothers, fathers, extended family, and community, must be included as a part of the solutions to the toxic stress that triggers mortality rates,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “These grants will fund projects to provide training and support for birth workers who will help ensure that Black birthing families are provided unbiased, culturally appropriate care and access to resources that help infants survive their first year and beyond.”
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT NURTURING ROOTS POSTPARTUM DOULAS
Taiye Adeagbo, CPD
I am extremely satisfied with this service. My Postpartum Doula Taiye exceeded my expectations. She supported me in many ways, by answering my questions on baby feeding information and medical questions concerning my baby, and emotional support with adjusting to returning home with the baby. She also helped with organizing, meal preparation, and gave spiritual and nutritional guidance and was patient, compassionate and knowledgeable. My doula’s strengths were her knowledge about baby needs and habits and growth stages, and my healing process and related symptoms. She was willing to be flexible about scheduling, and she assisted me with detailed tasks I needed done. She was always pleasant and patient. I would highly recommend Miss Taiye as a postpartum doula and I am very likely to recommend Happy Mama Healthy Baby Community Doula Program to my friends!” – T.C.
Talitha Cumi, CPD
Talitha was an amazing Postpartum Doula. I have two babies under two years of age, and it has been a challenge to balance all entailed in this new chapter of my life. She helped with simple household chores and watched my older kids. I was then able to get much-needed rest and care for my newborn. Talitha was always eager to do everything. I truly appreciate her time, support, and the effort she gives to her job. This service is invaluable for all families with a new baby and I recommend Happy Mama Healthy Baby Community Doula Program highly”. – J.C..
Click on the Photos to Read Doula’s Bio’s and Contact Them
ABOUT NURTURING ROOTS FATHERHOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM
TeDese Ross, MA, Black Fatherhood Support Coordinator
Through this program, African-American fathers-to-be or new or experienced dads can receive one-on-one mentorship and life coaching, support for educational goals like GED completion, job training, and employment. Services are offered by TeDese Ross, MA, our Fatherhood Support Coordinator.
For mothers enrolled in our Nurturing Roots Postpartum Doula Program, your partner is automatically enrolled in this program, allowing him to access a wealth of resources, guidance, and assistance tailored to his role as a supportive partner and new father. This dual-focused approach not only empowers fathers-to-be with the knowledge they need but also fosters a deeper sense of involvement and shared responsibility.
MEET OUR FATHERHOOD PROGRAM COORDINATOR
TeDese Ross, MA, Fatherhood Program Coordinator, is an experienced special education public school teacher, middle school principal, Adult Education and Technical Career Instructor, husband and father of four sons. He is here to address any questions and concerns fathers may have and provide the necessary assistance to make their journey as smooth and enriching as possible.
To learn more, visit our Fatherhood Support Services page. Click on his photo to read his bio.
I cannot express my gratitude for TeDese Ross, He helped me get my high school diploma, certified me to work in
mental health and helped me get a job that supports my family. Me and my wife’s relationship is better, and I feel
better” – M. F.
What Fathers Participating in this Program Received:
- Increased Parenting Confidence: Participants demonstrated improved parenting skills and greater confidence in their role as fathers.
- Employment Support: Several participants secured stable employment through job training and placement services.
- Legal Assistance: Some participants received guidance on child support and visitation rights, helping them navigate legal challenges.
- Improved Co-Parenting Relationships: Communication workshops facilitated better relationships with co-parents, reducing conflicts.
- Enhanced Mental Health Support: Participants were connected to counseling services, helping them manage stress and emotional difficulties.
- Resource Accessibility: Fathers were provided with information on available community resources for ongoing support.
MEET THE NURTURING ROOTS PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND SUPERVISOR
Tai Carson, BA, CPSS, CPD, CMA
Email: Tai.Carson@motherbabysupport.net Phone: (626) 388-2191 ext. 3
Tai is a retired midwife with over 35 years experience who has attended over 700 births. She is the Coordinator of Happy Mama Healthy Baby’s Nurturing Roots Postpartum Doula Service for Black Families. Born and raised in Los Angeles she comes from a mixed heritage of African, Asian, and European backgrounds. Tai has over three decades of experience in maternity and newborn care, as well as general healthcare. She currently focuses on postpartum doula support and palliative care. Ms. Carson has a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services from California State University, Los Angeles, along with an Associate’s Certificate in Counseling Psychology. Additionally, she is a Registered Medical Assistant in Washington State, where she worked at a rural primary health clinic.Tai is a Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Perinatal Support Specialist, and Certified Childbirth Educator. From 1999 to 2005, she was the owner/midwife at The Hollywood Birth Center in Los Angeles, where she trained several apprentices and doulas. She has worked in home birth and birth center midwifery practices in Washington, Los Angeles, and Mt. Shasta, California. As a perinatal health educator, Tai served as a trainer for Birth Emergency Skills Training (B.E.S.T.) and co-conducted Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance’s Perinatal Support Specialist Training at Esperanza Community Housing Corporation’s Promotora de Salud Program from 2013 to 2015. “As a woman of color, postpartum doula, health educator, midwife and a maternal-infant health advocate, I am dedicated to eradicating health disparities among childbearing women of color in my community. I am thrilled to work on programs aimed at improving perinatal health inequities,” says Ms. Carson.