Virginia Union university Tackles Childbirth Mortality Disparities with Doula Program and New Health Certifications
Table of Contents
- Virginia Union university Tackles Childbirth Mortality Disparities with Doula Program and New Health Certifications
- The Stark Reality of Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
- VUU Partners with Birth in Color to Expand Doula Support
- A doula’s viewpoint: Addressing a Critical Need
- Expanding Healthcare Access: Phlebotomy and CPR Certifications
- Addressing Potential Counterarguments
- The Future of Maternal Health in the U.S.
- Virginia Union University’s Doula Program: Revolutionizing Maternal Health and Bridging the disparity Gap
world-Today-News.com | March 19, 2025
Richmond, VA – Virginia Union University (VUU) is expanding its health certification programs, including a second doula certification, in a proactive move to address the alarming disparity in childbirth survival rates between Black and white women. This initiative, fueled by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), aims to reduce inequities and provide crucial support to expectant mothers across the Commonwealth.
The Stark Reality of Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
The statistics paint a grim picture: Black women in Virginia are twice as likely to die during childbirth as their white counterparts. Nationally, the disparity is even more pronounced, with Black women facing a three times higher risk of maternal mortality. This crisis demands immediate and extensive action, and VUU’s program represents a significant step in the right direction.
These disparities are not unique to Virginia.Across the United States, systemic inequities in healthcare access, quality of care, and implicit bias contribute to the higher maternal mortality rates among Black women and other women of color. Factors such as pre-existing health conditions, socioeconomic status, and geographic location further exacerbate these risks.
Such as, a recent study by the CDC found that a significant percentage of pregnancy-related deaths where preventable, highlighting the critical need for improved prenatal care, access to skilled birth attendants, and postpartum support. The study also emphasized the importance of addressing underlying social determinants of health, such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of transportation, to improve maternal health outcomes.
VUU Partners with Birth in Color to Expand Doula Support
The VDH grant enables VUU to collaborate with Birth in Color, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that deploys approximately 145 doulas throughout the state, with nearly 100 serving Central Virginia. This partnership is crucial for reaching pregnant women in underserved communities and providing them with comprehensive support throughout their pregnancy journey.
Kenda Sutton-El with Birth in Color, emphasizes the importance of culturally competent care, stating, “People feel a lot more comfortable talking to people who look like them when it comes to anything health-related. What we do see is a lot of doctors actually thank us as we’re giving them information that they may not have been able to get from the patient.”
Doulas provide non-medical support to pregnant women and their families, offering emotional, physical, and informational assistance before, during, and after childbirth. They can help women navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, advocate for their needs, and empower them to make informed decisions about their care. Doulas also play a vital role in bridging the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and respected.
The role of doulas is particularly critical in areas where access to hospitals and medical facilities is limited.By providing support in remote or underserved areas,doulas can help ensure that pregnant women receive the care they need,even if they live an hour away from the nearest hospital.
A doula’s viewpoint: Addressing a Critical Need
Alveda Campbell, a newly trained doula from Virginia Union, recently assisted her first mother through childbirth. she understands firsthand the importance of the support she provides. “Of course, you always think you’re prepared, you’re ready,” Campbell said. “‘Oh, I went through the training. They taught me so much.I got it,’ and then you get into it, and it’s like, ‘oh, we’re sweating, we’re into it.’ but it was exciting.It was amazing. You know, it was something very fulfilling, to be able to be a support system for a mother to bring her child into this world.”
Campbell’s experience highlights the transformative impact that doulas can have on the lives of expectant mothers. By providing compassionate care and unwavering support, doulas can help women feel empowered, confident, and prepared for the challenges of childbirth.
The demand for doulas is growing across the United States, as more and more women recognize the benefits of having a trained professional by their side during pregnancy and childbirth.However, access to doula services remains limited for many women, particularly those from low-income communities. Initiatives like VUU’s doula certification program are essential for expanding access to this valuable resource and ensuring that all women have the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Expanding Healthcare Access: Phlebotomy and CPR Certifications
Along with the doula certification program, Virginia Union University will also offer allied health certifications in phlebotomy and CPR, marking new areas of focus for the university. These certifications will equip students with valuable skills that can lead to employment opportunities in the healthcare sector, further contributing to the overall health and well-being of the community.
Phlebotomists play a crucial role in collecting blood samples for diagnostic testing, while CPR certification provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations. By offering these certifications, VUU is empowering its students to become active participants in the healthcare system and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The addition of these allied health certifications reflects a growing trend in the healthcare industry towards expanding access to preventative care and promoting community health. By training individuals in essential healthcare skills, universities and community organizations can definitely help address healthcare disparities and improve health outcomes for all Americans.
Addressing Potential Counterarguments
While the benefits of doula support are widely recognized, some critics argue that doulas are not necessary or that their services are too expensive. However,research has consistently shown that doula support can lead to shorter labors,reduced rates of cesarean sections,and improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Moreover, many doulas offer sliding scale fees or accept insurance, making their services more accessible to low-income families.
Another potential counterargument is that addressing maternal mortality requires more than just doula support and allied health certifications. While these initiatives are crucial, they are just one piece of the puzzle. Systemic changes are needed to address the underlying social determinants of health, improve access to quality healthcare, and eliminate racial bias in the healthcare system.
VUU’s initiative is a multifaceted approach, combining doula training with other essential healthcare certifications. This comprehensive strategy acknowledges the complex nature of maternal health disparities and aims to address them from multiple angles.
The Future of Maternal Health in the U.S.
Virginia union University’s commitment to addressing maternal health disparities serves as a model for other institutions across the country. By investing in doula training,allied health certifications,and community partnerships,VUU is helping to create a more equitable and supportive healthcare system for all women.
The fight against maternal mortality is far from over, but initiatives like VUU’s provide hope for a brighter future. By working together, healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers can create a system that prioritizes the health and well-being of all mothers and ensures that every woman has the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.
The National Doula Certification Board is the only accredited certifying organization for doulas in the United States [[2]]. Madriella also offers an online Doula certification program [[1]]. DONA International also provides doula training [[3]].
Virginia Union University’s Doula Program: Revolutionizing Maternal Health and Bridging the disparity Gap
Senior Editor, World-Today-News.com: We’ve seen the alarming disparity in maternal mortality rates in the US, especially the meaningful challenges Black women face. Dr. Evelyn Hayes, a leading maternal health expert, welcome to World-Today-News.com. Why is the doula program at Virginia Union University so crucial in addressing these disparities?
Dr. Evelyn Hayes: Thank you for having me. Virginia Union University’s (VUU) doula program is absolutely critical. While the statistics paint a grim picture, it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about providing culturally competent care and extensive support. Black women, as the article highlights, face significantly higher risks during childbirth due to systemic inequities in healthcare.VUU’s program, along with partnerships like the one with birth in color, directly addresses these issues by training and deploying doulas who can provide emotional, physical, and informational support, bridging communication gaps, and advocating for the needs of expectant mothers, especially in underserved communities.
Senior Editor: The article mentioned the vital role of doulas in bridging the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers. Can you elaborate on how a doula does this, and why it’s particularly significant for women of color?
Dr. Hayes: Absolutely. A doula acts as a constant, trusted advocate for the mother. They are not medically trained, but they provide a powerful presence to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Doulas ensure that the patient’s voice is heard and respected, explaining medical jargon, helping women understand their options, and helping them feel more in control of their birthing experience.For women of color, this is crucial due to ancient and ongoing experiences of implicit bias and discrimination within healthcare. A doula who looks like the patient, understands her cultural background, and can anticipate her needs can create an habitat of trust and facilitate more open, honest conversations. They can also provide facts that doctors may not have time to fully provide wich better aids the mother’s understanding.
Senior Editor: VUU is also offering new allied health certifications in Phlebotomy and CPR.How do these programs complement the doula certification, and contribute to the overall betterment of community health outcomes?
Dr. Hayes: Offering these allied health certifications is a strategic move for VUU. It’s about a holistic approach to maternal and community health. Phlebotomy training contributes to early and accurate diagnoses, and timely care.CPR certification empowers community members to act in emergency situations, improving outcomes for all residents. By offering these skills, VUU is not only equipping students with job-ready tools but also fostering a culture of healthcare awareness and empowerment. These are all very importent skills for anyone in the health field to have. The combination of trained doulas with these other allied health certifications creates a more comprehensive and integrated approach to both maternal and community well-being.
senior Editor: The article touched on some counterarguments to the value of doulas. some critics suggest that their services aren’t necessary or too expensive. How do you respond to these concerns?
Dr. Hayes: Well, there’s significant research available that consistently demonstrates the positive impact of doula support. Studies have consistently shown that doula support leads to significantly shorter labors, reduces the need for cesarean sections, and results in healthier outcomes for both mothers and infants. And, as the article notes, many doulas offer sliding scale fees or accept insurance, the misconception that doulas are exclusively for the affluent is easily combated. Moreover, addressing maternal mortality requires a multifaceted approach that is much more than a single intervention, the investment in doulas is a valuable piece of the health puzzle, a preventative measure that, when combined with health certifications, can improve the quality of life for everyone.
Senior Editor: Looking ahead, what do you see as the future of maternal health in the U.S., and what further steps are needed to reduce the racial disparities in maternal mortality?
Dr. Hayes: The future of maternal health relies on continued investment in comprehensive, equitable care. VUU is serving an critically important role as a role model for other institutions with initiatives like the doula program, coupled with new allied health certifications. To truly reduce disparities, we need systemic changes to address the underlying social determinants of health.Specifically, policies need to be implemented to improve access to quality healthcare for all women, eliminate implicit bias within the healthcare system.The approach should include expanding access to affordable prenatal care, addressing food security and transportation issues, and ensuring culturally competent healthcare for all mothers. We’re moving in the right direction, but there’s much work to do.
Senior Editor: Dr. Hayes, thank you for sharing yoru expertise and insights with us today.
Dr. Hayes: Thank you for the possibility.
Senior Editor’s Final Thought: Virginia Union University’s commitment to tackling maternal mortality, as highlighted in our interview, is a beacon of hope.By investing in doula training and allied health certifications, and by forming strong community partnerships, VUU is creating a more equitable and comprehensive healthcare system. Let’s work together to ensure that ALL women receive the support and care they need to have safe and healthy pregnancies. How can you help spread awareness of this critically important issue and make a difference in your community? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation!**
