A resolution recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes.

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 209 Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 12, 2021 Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes. Whereas doulas can play an important role in— (1) maternal care; and (2) addressing maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States; Whereas doula support includes continuous non-clinical 1-on- 1 emotional, physical, and informational support around the time of birth, including during pregnancy and postpartum; Whereas doulas empower mothers with information about pregnancy and childbirth; Whereas studies have shown that doula-assisted mothers are 4 times less likely to have a low birth weight baby, and VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 May 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR209.ATS SR209 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 209 ATS 2 times less likely to experience complications during pregnancy; Whereas research indicates that, with the support of doulas, women are— (1) more likely to have vaginal births; and (2) less likely to require epidural anesthesia; Whereas, in 2013, the Expert Panel on Improving Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Medicaid and the Chil- dren’s Health Insurance Program of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services identified providing cov- erage for continuous doula support during labor as a po- tential strategy to enhance maternal and infant care management; Whereas the presence of a doula during pregnancy, child- birth, and postpartum helps foster shared decision-mak- ing for birthing women by facilitating communication be- tween women and their providers; Whereas a doula provides continuous support during labor and delivery and can alert hospital staff to signs and symptoms of complications that require immediate med- ical attention, thus lowering the risk of escalating com- plications for the mother and baby; Whereas access to doula support services, especially in under- served communities, may contribute to— (1) improved birth outcomes, both physically and emotionally; and (2) lower health care costs by reducing the risk of— (A) low birth weight babies; (B) complications that might otherwise go un- noticed; (C) low-risk cesarean deliveries; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 May 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR209.ATS SR209 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 209 ATS (D) epidural anesthesia; Whereas training members of underserved communities to be- come doulas and support mothers in their own commu- nities can— (1) help provide employment opportunities for im- proving maternal health; and (2) build trust and reduce adverse consequences of racial bias for pregnant and postpartum women of color; and Whereas community-based maternal health care models, in- cluding doula support services, in collaboration with ob- stetrical care, show great promise in improving, and re- ducing disparities in, maternal health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) recognizes the important role of doulas in 2 providing respectful, responsive care to all women, 3 including women in underserved communities who 4 lack access to maternal health services; 5 (2) acknowledges that doula support services 6 provide continuous physical and emotional support 7 to help mothers achieve healthy pregnancies and safe 8 deliveries and recoveries; 9 (3) urges greater recognition for the important 10 role that doulas play in— 11 (A) supporting improved pregnancy, birth, 12 and postpartum outcomes, including maternal 13 mental health; 14 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 May 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR209.ATS SR209 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 209 ATS (B) reducing health care costs and working 1 towards the elimination of health disparities; 2 and 3 (C) overcoming barriers for assisting low- 4 income women of color and women in rural 5 areas with access to health and social supports; 6 (4) designates the week beginning May 9, 2021, 7 as ‘‘Doula Week’’ to raise awareness for, and advo- 8 cate for the benefits of, doulas and the support serv- 9 ices doulas provide; and 10 (5) recognizes the importance of access to doula 11 support services, especially in underserved commu- 12 nities. 13 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 May 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR209.ATS SR209 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS