Doulas could help reduce death rates of Black and Latino babies in Wisconsin
DAVID WAHLBERG
Updated
Lennise O’Dwyer, left, with her daughter, Alyssa, visits with doula Tracey Russell at O'Dwyer's home in Madison. Through a health program called ConnectRx, Russell worked with O'Dwyer before, during and after Alyssa's birth in March. It's one of several efforts aimed at reducing infant mortality.
When Lennise O’Dwyer had her first daughter nearly three years ago, she felt pressured by medical providers to have a cesarean delivery because the baby was expected to be large.
Doula Maricela Martínez Munguia, right, uses a doll to discuss breastfeeding techniques with expecting parents Yenny Juarez Reyes, left, and Bryan Antimo at the Madison office of Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and indigenous doulas. A week later, the couple had a healthy daughter.
Lennise O’Dwyer said working with a Black doula during and after her pregnancy with daughter Alyssa helped her feel empowered. "I feel like I got spoiled," she said of doula Tracey Russell. "She was very hands-on from the beginning."
Doulas Maricela Martínez Munguia and Aída Inuca are members of Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and indigenous doulas in Madison. At a recent visit, they worked with Yenny Juarez Reyes, who was 38 weeks pregnant, and her partner, Bryan Antimo, on what to expect during the birthing process.
Yenny Juarez Reyes, left, and partner Bryan Antimo had a stillborn baby last year. During their subsequent pregnancy, at visits with a doula, they worked on mental health and mindfulness. Their healthy daughter, Helina, was born in April.
Doula Aída Inuca, shown with client Yenny Juarez Reyes, is helping to train Latina community health workers who might become doulas, through Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and Indigenous doulas. "As the community is increasing, the needs are also increasing," Inuca said.
Lennise O’Dwyer, left, with her daughter, Alyssa, visits with doula Tracey Russell at O'Dwyer's home in Madison. Through a health program called ConnectRx, Russell worked with O'Dwyer before, during and after Alyssa's birth in March. It's one of several efforts aimed at reducing infant mortality.
Doula Maricela Martínez Munguia, right, uses a doll to discuss breastfeeding techniques with expecting parents Yenny Juarez Reyes, left, and Bryan Antimo at the Madison office of Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and indigenous doulas. A week later, the couple had a healthy daughter.
Lennise O’Dwyer said working with a Black doula during and after her pregnancy with daughter Alyssa helped her feel empowered. "I feel like I got spoiled," she said of doula Tracey Russell. "She was very hands-on from the beginning."
Doulas Maricela Martínez Munguia and Aída Inuca are members of Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and indigenous doulas in Madison. At a recent visit, they worked with Yenny Juarez Reyes, who was 38 weeks pregnant, and her partner, Bryan Antimo, on what to expect during the birthing process.
Yenny Juarez Reyes, left, and partner Bryan Antimo had a stillborn baby last year. During their subsequent pregnancy, at visits with a doula, they worked on mental health and mindfulness. Their healthy daughter, Helina, was born in April.
Doula Aída Inuca, shown with client Yenny Juarez Reyes, is helping to train Latina community health workers who might become doulas, through Roots4Change, a cooperative of Latina and Indigenous doulas. "As the community is increasing, the needs are also increasing," Inuca said.
