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Programs of Interest

  • Maternal & Child Health Section
  • Minnesota Constitution and Abortion

Women's Health

  • Women's Health Home
  • Maternal Care Access
  • Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act

Programs of Interest

  • Maternal & Child Health Section
  • Minnesota Constitution and Abortion
Contact Info
Maternal and Child Health Section
651-201-3650
health.mch@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Maternal and Child Health Section
651-201-3650
health.mch@state.mn.us

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 department seeks a community assessment of strengths and barriers to accessing midwife and doula services. The assessment needs to engage the communities experiencing the greatest disparities in maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes, to ensure the voices and input of the communities are aligned with recommendations and future work. Successful responders will provide a culturally responsive needs assessment and interpret assessment findings that identifies strengths, challenges, and notable gaps related to midwife and doula services.

For more information please go to the State of Minnesota SWIFT Supplier Portal. Select 'Bidding Opportunties' and search for the event number 2000013579 or the event name Midwife/Doula Community Assessment.

Responses must be received no later than 2:00 p.m./CST, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Questions should be emailed to Sierra Hill, Maternal Care Access Coordinator, at Health.MCH@state.mn.us by Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Answers to all questions will be posted in SWIFT as an addendum by Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.

Additional Resources

  • Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (Sec. 144.1461 MN Statutes)
  • Maternal Mortality in Minnesota
  • What's the Difference Between a Midwife and a Doula?
  • Doulas are assisting Black mothers with their births
  • Initiative Trains Native American Women as Doulas To Improve Health Care Outcomes
Tags
  • women infants
Last Updated: 02/09/2023

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