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.

2022 Request for Proposals

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Women and Infant Health unit requests proposals to aid the State in engaging communities to gather input that identify critical gaps and potential solutions to support improved access to midwife and doula services.

The overall project goal is to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in groups with the most significant disparities, including Black, Indigenous and​ other communities of color, families with lower incomes, and/or rural communities by increasing the availability of midwife and doula services. 

The Request for Proposal, Needs Assessment and Community Engagement to Determine Access to Midwife and Doula Care in Minnesota will be posted soon.