THE KCMO DOULA INITIATIVE  

 

VISION:

Fostering a healthier and

more equitable city

MISSION:

City of Kansas City invests in Maternal and Infant Health with new program supporting Doulas
for Kansas City Residents

Calling Doulas

Are you an experienced Doula interested in serving pregnant families?

Contact us @ KcmoDoula@UzaziVillage.org

The KCMO Doula Initiative will provide direct doula service to Kansas City residents allowing them to choose from a network of doulas, including doulas at Uzazi Village. These trained professionals will offer emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant individuals, helping them navigate the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. Doulas are known to reduce the risk of complications, enhance birth experiences, and improve the overall well-being of both mothers and babies. Are you a pregnant family interested in receiving Doula services? Sign up below.

WHAT IS A DOULA?

A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

Birth Doula

Before childbirth, a birth doula will typically:

 

  • Meet with you during your second or third trimester to get acquainted
  • Teach you relaxation and breathing skills
  • Answer your questions about the birthing process
  • Help you understand labor and delivery procedures and possible complications
  • Help you develop a birth plan

Labor Doula

During labor the doula will:

 

  • Stay with you constantly to provide comfort and support
  • Use massage and touch to help you relax and rest
  • Help you get into comfortable positions
  • Help you get adequate nutrition and fluids
  • Help communicate your preferences to the medical staff
  • Involve and reassure the dad-to-be

Postpartum Care

After delivery, a doula can:

 

  • Provide support and encouragement to both you and dad after bringing your baby home
  • Teach both of you how to care for your new baby
  • Assist with breastfeeding education
  • Support dad and other siblings and teach them how to help you
  • Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat regularly, stay hydrated, and are comfortable

The KCMO Doula Initiative will:

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Address disparities in maternal health outcomes by making doula services more accessible to all KCMO residents

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Support childbearing families during the prenatal, labor, and postpartum periods

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Help navigate the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth

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Offer emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant individuals

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Improve Maternal and Infant Health outcomes

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Aide in reducing the risk of complications, enhance birth experiences, and improve the overall well-being of both mothers and babies

i

Press Release

CRITERIA:

 

Someone whose income falls within 400% of the current federal income poverty guidelines (FIPG); and a person who is not eligible to receive benefits of other third-party payment sources, including private insurance; or a person is eligible to recevie such third party payment benefits but lacks the financial resources to participate in that benefit. Annual income within 400% of the current federal income guidelines are:

WE SERVE ZIP CODES:

64101   •   64102      64105   •   64106    64108 

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64114   •   64116      64117   •   64118    64119 

64120   •   64123      64124      64125    64126 

64127   •   64128      64129      64130    64131 

64132   •   64133      64134      64136    64138 

64139   •   64145      64146      64147    64149 

64151   •   64152      64153      64154    64155 

64156   •   64157      64158      64163

4232 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110  •  (816) 541-3718