Evidence shows that a trusted companion during pregnancy can reduce stress and improve pregnancy outcomes. Continuous labor support from a doula can decrease the length of labor, the risk of cesarean, and the use of medications for pain relief or to speed up labor. Continuous labor support can also increase breastfeeding initiation  and improve maternal satisfaction with the birth experience. 

Access to continuous labor support from a doula is especially vital for birthing people of color. Black women experience higher rates of poor birth outcomes, including cesareans, preterm and low birth weight infants, and infant death, than other racial groups (Thomas et al., 2017). The AAIMM Initiative is committed to eliminating preventable Black infant and maternal deaths. 

No.A birth doula is a companion who supports a birthing person during pregnancy, labor and birth. Birth doulas are trained to provide continuous, one-on-one care, as well as information, physical support, and emotional support to birthing persons and their partners. Doulas are not medical professionals. They do not: perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring; give medical advice or diagnose conditions; make decisions for the client (medical or otherwise); pressure the birthing person into certain choices; take over the role of the partner, support person, or family member; catch the baby, or; change shifts (although some doulas may call in their back up after several hours). 

To make a referral please contact program staff at [email protected] or by phone at (213) 639-6448. Please include client name, phone number, zip code, and estimated due date (EDD). The AAIMM Doula Program offers free doula support to for those that meet the following eligibility criteria: 18 or older (or foster youth), pregnant person, self-identifying as Black/African American and live in Los Angeles County.

Self-referrals are accepted. Please contact program staff at [email protected] or by phone at (213) 639-6448. Please include your name, phone number, zip code, and estimated due date (EDD). The AAIMM Doula Program offers free doula support to for those that meet the following eligibility criteria: 18 or older (or foster youth), pregnant person, self-identifying as Black/African American and live in Los Angeles County.

Clients are assigned an AA/MM doula by program staff. Geographic location, doula availability, and/or client needs are factors to assist program staff in client assignments. Clients do have an option to request a doula. Program Staff will do their best to accommodate a client request, but cannot guarantee specific requests.

Pregnant teens can be referred and receive AAIMM doula services on a case-by-case basis. Teens must meet eligibility criteria of self-identifying as Black/African American, pregnant, and reside in one of the priority geographic regions of the program. If you or the teen for whom you are referring does not meet program eligibility, program staff will do their best to locate and refer to other doula services.  Please contact program staff directly to make a referral. 

Yes. Clients with Department of Children and Family Services involvement may be referred for doula services on a case-by-case basis. Please contact program staff directly to make a referral.

Clients will receive three prenatal and three postpartum visits, and continuous labor and delivery support whether at home, at a birth center, or at a hospital. The postpartum visits occur within one-week postpartum, two weeks postpartum, and six weeks postpartum. Doulas are also available to support clients outside of scheduled appointments (phone, text, etc.). Clients exit the program after completing their third postpartum visit. The AAIMM Doula Program is voluntary, so clients may also exit the program at any time.

During COVID-19, many visits and labor support became virtual. AAIMM Doulas follow all Health Officer Orders and the policies of each hospital or institution. Client safety and comfort are our highest priorities. 

Clients receive gifts for themselves and baby at various intervals throughout the program. 

Doulas carry a caseload of two births per month. They are on call 24/7 for each client two weeks prior and two weeks after the EDD. 

Within the doula scope of work, doulas are not mandated reporters.  

Clients participating in programs such as BIH, NFP, or Welcome Baby can absolutely receive AAIMM doula services, if eligible. 

Pregnant individuals who do not identify as Black/African American are not eligible to participate in the AAIMM Doula program, but there are other programs that provide free or low-cost doula support: 

• • Joy In Birthing Foundation
• • Birthworkers of Color Collective Long Beach
• • SBCC Thrive LA
• • What Do Doulas Do – And How Can I Find One in LA – LAist

The AAIMM Doula cohort is now closed. Check back soon.

Get involved! Join one of the AAIMM Community Action Teams or our Doula Advisory Committee listservs. The AAIMM CATs and Advisory Committee receive and share information across the AAIMM network on trainings and other opportunities available to community residents.

PLEASE CONTACT:

Doula Advisory Committee
Ashley Skiffer-Thompson [email protected]

South LA/South Bay AAIMM CAT:
Adjoa Jones [email protected]

Antelope Valley AAIMM CAT:
Jordan Figueroa [email protected]

San Fernando Valley AAIMM CAT Nathan Lehman [email protected]

San Gabriel Valley AAIMM CAT
Annette Trejo [email protected]

Training slots are limited and involvement in a CAT/ Committee does not guarantee a space.

The AAIMM Doula Program is housed at the LA County Department of Public Health, Division of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and is led by a dedicated, experienced dream team: