WeRISE Community Doula Program

At a Glance

This project, WeRISE Community Doula Program, aimed to transform the African American Breastfeeding Network’s pilot program into a sustainable community-based model of care for Black families. In Milwaukee, Black infant mortality rates are three times higher than white infant mortality rates, and maternal mortality rates are five times higher for Black women than white women in Wisconsin.

The project made significant progress toward its goal by increasing program awareness at both the community and state levels and by forming partnerships with various organizations. The WeRISE doula program supported 65 pregnant individuals providing support and care through the prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods. Survey feedback demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and the program’s positive impact in reducing anxiety related to pregnancy and labor.

The Challenge

In Milwaukee, there are stark disparities in birth outcomes between Black and white birthing families. According to the City of Milwaukee, infant mortality rates were 15.4 per 1,000 live births for Black infants, which is three times higher than the rate for white infants, which stands at 5.1 per 1,000 live births. This disparity is further compounded by the maternal mortality rate in Wisconsin, which is five times higher for Black women than white women. Studies suggest that doula care can improve birth outcomes and care for Black birthing families. Doula assisted births are associated with 28 percent lower cesarean rates, 14 percent fewer NICU admissions, and higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

Project Goals

The goal of this project was to transform the African American Breastfeeding Network’s pilot program into a sustainable community-based model of care for Black families. This goal was addressed through six objectives:

1. Increase awareness of the WeRISE Community Doula Program at community and state levels.
2. Enroll and provide breastfeeding peer support to a total of 90 Black mothers in an effort to improve breastfeeding exclusivity and duration rates.
3. Support and strengthen the ability of 12 to 15 Black doulas to build sustainable career paths.
4. Improve overall pregnancy, birth experiences and outcomes for 70 Black women living in Milwaukee area neighborhoods with high maternal and infant mortality rates.
5. Strengthen community partner network to include three to five partners.
6. Partner with organizations, elected officials and hospital systems to advocate for policy-level change to sustain efforts.

Results

This project made significant progress toward its goal. Awareness of the WeRISE Community Doula Program was raised at both community and state levels as evident by increased media coverage and partnerships developed with organizations that recognized the need for breastfeeding and doula services for their clients. These new partnerships included Managed Health Services, Froedtert Hospital, Next Door and Sojourner Family Peace Center. The program also formed networks with prenatal care coordinating agencies, Breaking Barriers and Essential Prenatal Care, and collaborative work with Fathers Making Progress and the City of Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiative.

The WeRISE program provided a total of 65 pregnant people with prenatal, labor and delivery and two-month postpartum support. Breastfeeding peer support was provided to 58 Black mothers, and all of these individuals had doula support. The majority, 40, of these individuals also attended at least one breastfeeding class. The program also strengthened the careers of 12 Black doulas by providing workshops on data collection, mental health and wellness and trauma-informed care.

The program’s impact extended to labor outcomes, where doulas were present at the majority of births, with about 72 percent having vaginal births. Notably, survey data indicated a high rate of breastfeeding initiation and skin-to-skin contact with newborns upon birth. Client feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with almost 92 percent expressing extreme satisfaction with the services provided by their WeRISE doula, and over 97 percent rating the WeRise program as very good or good. The survey responses also revealed the importance of comprehensive postpartum care and highlighted the role of the WeRISE program in reducing anxiety about pregnancy and labor.