Doula Support via Mutual Aid

Mutual aid is a powerful tool that can be used to build community and support the people within it. One way that mutual aid can be used is to fund doula support for families.

Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the postpartum period. They can help create a birth plan, provide evidence-based information about different birthing options, and offer comfort measures during labor.

Doula services can be inaccessible for some families due to costs.

Unfortunately, doula services are not covered by Medicaid or most private insurance plans. So even though doulas want to serve Medicaid families, it can be difficult for them to do so while trying to provide for their own families. This is where mutual aid can come in. Members of a community can come together to pool resources and make it possible for families to afford services.

Platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter can be used to gather funds as well as community events like benefit concerts, bake sales, or silent auctions. These events can raise funds as well as raise awareness about the importance of doula support. In addition to raising funds, mutual aid groups can also provide a wider network of support for expectant families. This can include connecting families with midwives and doulas, offering parent support groups, and providing information and resources on topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

Mutual aid can be a very powerful tool for community building. By using mutual aid, we can support families outside of traditional institutions. We can fund doula support for families in need, ensuring that all families have access to the emotional and physical support they need during pregnancy, childbirth, and the sacred postpartum period.