THE KCMO DOULA INITIATIVE
VISION:
Fostering a healthier and
more equitable city
MISSION:
City of Kansas City invests in Maternal and Infant Health with a new program supporting Doulas and Kansas City Residents
The KCMO Doula Initiative will provide direct doula services 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 non-medical 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:
Address disparities in maternal health outcomes by making doula services more accessible to all KCMO residents
Support childbearing families during the prenatal, labor, and postpartum periods
Help navigate the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth
Offer emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant individuals
Improve Maternal and Infant Health outcomes
Aide in reducing the risk of complications, enhance birth experiences, and improve the overall well-being of both mothers and babies
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
64109 • 64110 • 64111 • 64112 • 64113
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
Calling Doulas
Are you an experienced Doula interested in serving pregnant families?
Contact us @ KcmoDoula@UzaziVillage.org
