‘Birth Worker Burnout’ Rates Rise As New York City Expands Its Doula Initiatives.
HOST
Earlier this month, Governor Kathy Hochul (HOE-kuhl) signed a bill that will expand access to certified doulas (DOO-luhs) for expectant parents. The law will ensure that doula services will be covered for all Medicaid enrollees starting January 1st. The measure comes in an effort to combat the ongoing infant and maternal mortality crisis. But despite the progress, mothers and doulas are calling for greater mental health support. Tricia Stortz reports.
STORTZ 1
According to the New York City Department of Health, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio for Black women in NYC is more than nine times that for white women. Devena Smith is a 30-year-old first-time mom who gave birth to a son this time last year. She says having a doula gave her practical and emotional support throughout her pregnancy.
SMITH 1
As a first-time mom and someone who lives with anxiety, I decided to have a doula based on my fear of how Black women are treated in the medical system.
STORTZ 2
Doulas offer techniques to ease uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. They also provide information about what to expect in the hospital during labor.
SMITH 2
I wanted to feel like I had someone there who knew more than I did and would advocate for me no matter what happened.
STORTZ 3
Smith says doulas are a great resource but not the only form of support that Black mothers need.
SMITH 3
So, a lot of this stuff is mentally taxing… I want to go back to therapy, but financially it is an issue. I feel like doulas are almost like a safety net for Black mothers… like they feel like a safety net.
STORTZ 4
Pamela Skop is a licensed therapist who specializes in maternal health. She is also a doula. She agrees that most people can not afford to spend the time or money on therapy.
SKOP 1
I think there's probably much higher numbers of people who are struggling with perinatal mood anxiety disorders that go untreated than we know at all.
STORTZ 7
Doulas are not licensed to diagnose or treat mental illnesses. Instead, they’re required by law to refer their clients out to therapists if they notice concerning symptoms. But, Skop says it’s not always easy for Black mothers to reach out to a therapist.
SKOP 2
I think it's a much scarier experience for a Black mother to go to a provider and say, Hey, I'm having this intrusive thought that I'm going to hurt my baby. There might be a bigger reaction than someone from a white background.
STORTZ 8
Doulas tend to be a more trusted emotional resource. But, their services can run expensive, and there aren’t enough of them in the city. Monique Jaques is the CityWide Doula Initiative Leader for the Mama Glow Foundation, a doula agency in the city. She says doulas are struggling with their own mental health due to the shortage.
JAQUES 3
It is a very high-stress job. Birth worker burnout is a really big issue as well. Folks in our program can do anywhere between two to three births a month. So that's a lot of time you're kind of on call.
STORTZ 12
Jaques says she is working to find resources to support her staff and is encouraging the city to expand its doula initiatives even further. Tricia Stortz, Columbia Radio News.
