A South Carolina hospital system has launched a program to address racial disparities in maternal health by providing doulas to Black mothers. Prisma Health, one of the state’s largest health systems, is offering financial support for doula services to 100 expectant Black mothers annually.
The initiative comes as South Carolina faces one of the nation’s worst maternal mortality rates, with Black women 4.2 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. The program, which began as a pilot in 2023, aims to improve birth outcomes and explore effects on postpartum depression.
Doulas provide advocacy, encouragement, and comfort measures throughout pregnancy and after birth. Their support has been linked to shorter labors, fewer complications, and increased breastfeeding success.
Jernae Webb, a program participant, praised the cultural understanding her doula provided. “Everyone wants to hold the baby, but who holds the mother? That’s what doulas do,” Webb said.
The program addresses discrimination in healthcare, which contributes to over 36% of pregnancy-related deaths reviewed. It seeks to combat the issue of Black women not feeling believed when expressing health concerns during pregnancy.
