Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes.

This resolution recognizes Doula Week and the role of doulas in providing maternal health services.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 395 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 395

  Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving 
               pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 11, 2023

  Ms. Moore of Wisconsin (for herself and Ms. Pressley) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving 
               pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes.

Whereas doulas can play an important role in--

    (1) maternal health;

    (2) maternal mental health; and

    (3) reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States;

Whereas doula support includes continuous non-clinical 1-on-1 emotional, 
        physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and 
        postpartum;
Whereas doulas empower mothers with information about pregnancy, childbirth, 
        postpartum, breast feeding, and infant care;
Whereas doulas can speak up for and serve as navigators for mothers during 
        pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum;
Whereas studies have shown that doula-assisted mothers are 4 times less likely 
        to have a low-birth weight baby, and 2 times less likely to experience 
        complications during pregnancy;
Whereas continuous doula support has been shown to shorten the duration of labor 
        and delivery;
Whereas research indicates that, with the support of doulas, women are--

    (1) more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births;

    (2) less likely to require epidural anesthesia and other interventions; 
and

    (3) less likely to experience postpartum depression or another 
postpartum mood and anxiety disorder;

Whereas the Expert Panel on Improving Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in 
        Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program of the Centers for 
        Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2013, and the recommendations for 
        Maternal Health and Infant Health Quality Improvement in Medicaid from 
        2020, identified providing coverage for continuous doula support during 
        labor as a potential strategy to enhance maternal and infant care 
        management;
Whereas the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the 
        Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine reported that the continuous 
        presence of a doula during pregnancy is one of the most effective tools 
        to improve labor and delivery outcomes;
Whereas the presence of a doula during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum 
        helps foster shared decision making for birthing women by facilitating 
        communication between women and their providers;
Whereas the presence of a doula can provide vital emotional and physical support 
        after a stillbirth;
Whereas a doula can provide pregnant and postpartum women and their partners 
        with critical information about urgent maternal warning signs, as 
        recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas a doula provides continuous support during labor and delivery and can 
        alert hospital staff to signs and symptoms of complications that require 
        immediate medical attention, thus lowering the risk of escalating 
        complications for the mother and baby;
Whereas access to doula support services, especially in underserved communities, 
        may contribute to--

    (1) improved birth outcomes, both physically and emotionally; and

    (2) lower health care costs by reducing the risk of--

    G    (A) low-birth weight babies;

    G    (B) complications that might otherwise go unnoticed;

    G    (C) primary and repeat cesarean deliveries; and

    G    (D) epidural anesthesia and other interventions;

Whereas training members of underserved communities, including rural areas, to 
        become doulas and support mothers in their own communities can--

    (1) help provide employment opportunities for improving maternal 
health; and

    (2) build trust and reduce adverse consequences of racial bias for 
pregnant and postpartum women of color; and

Whereas community-based maternal health care models, including doula support 
        services, in collaboration with obstetrical care, show great promise in 
        improving, and reducing disparities in, maternal health outcomes: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the important role of doulas in providing 
        respectful, responsive care to all women, including women in 
        underserved communities, including rural areas, who lack access 
        to maternal health services;
            (2) acknowledges that doula support services provide 
        continuous physical and emotional support to help mothers 
        achieve healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries and recoveries;
            (3) urges greater recognition for the important role that 
        doulas play in--
                    (A) supporting improved pregnancy, birth, and 
                postpartum experiences and outcomes, including maternal 
                mental health;
                    (B) reducing health care costs and working towards 
                the elimination of health disparities; and
                    (C) overcoming barriers for assisting low-income 
                women of color and women in rural areas with access to 
                health and social supports;
            (4) recognizing the Doula Week to raise awareness about, 
        and advocate for the benefits of, doulas and the support 
        services doulas provide; and
            (5) recognizes the importance of access to doula support 
        services, especially in underserved communities.
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