Maternal Care Access: Doula and Midwifery Services
Data has shown there are significant differences in maternal health across communities and geographical regions in Minnesota. Currently, Black pregnant individuals are 2.3 times more likely to die of pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes compared to white pregnant individuals. The Indigenous maternal mortality rate is approximately four times higher than white pregnant individuals. Almost half of maternal deaths occur in Greater Minnesota. Community informed solutions are needed to address potential opportunities and gaps to connect individuals to birthing services and resources to support optimal health outcomes.
Minnesota Doula Workforce Survey
In collaboration with GrayHall LLP, MDH seeks to build a more comprehensive profile of the workforce of doulas and birth workers in Minnesota, by requesting individuals who identify as a doula or a birth worker to complete an online survey. For this survey, a doula or birth worker is defined as someone who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. This does not include midwives or other medical professionals.
Along with having comprehensive profiles of our workforce the survey aims to:
- Establish baseline demographic data of doulas/birth workers in Minnesota.
- Identify important gaps in service.
- Identify important strengths of the workforce.
- Support strategic objectives to increase access to doula/birth worker services.
Survey answers are strictly confidential. Participants names and organization names will not be given or shared with any organization. See Minnesota Doula Workforce Flyer (PDF) for more details.