SC doula program designed to address racial health disparities for Black mothers

GREENVILLE — In a state with one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country, Black mothers face even higher rates of pregnancy-related deaths than White women. One hospital system’s program aims to change that by connecting Black mothers with doulas. Doulas act to advocate, encourage and provide comfort measures for expectant mothers throughout the pregnancy process and after birth. Such support has been shown to lead to shorter labors, fewer complications, increased success with breastfeeding and overall positive birth experiences. input#fieldEmail {width:100%; border: 1px solid #b0b6bb; box-shadow: inset 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); border-radius:3px;} button.js-cm-submit-button {width:100%; font-family:"adelle-sans", sans-serif; color: #fff; background-color:#82C566; padding:3px 0; border:0px;} h5.description {font-family:"adelle-sans", sans-serif; line-height:inherit;} label {font-size:smaller; font-family:"adelle-sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400;} Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Prisma Health, one of the largest health systems in South Carolina, financially supports doulas for Black mothers in areas it serves from the Midlands to the Upstate. The program, which launched as a pilot in 2023, provides small grants to offset the expenses of doula services for 100 expectant Black mothers each year. This year, program leaders hope to explore the effects on postpartum depression. The state ranks...