Birthing Ways-Doula Connection

Support 3^rd party payment for doulas at your precinct caucus        February 7^th at 7:00 PM

Minnesota is still the only state in the union where women have a statutory right to doula care. We got this right because in 2003 doulas, their relatives, their clients and friends went to precinct caucuses, both Republican and Democrat as well as Independent and Green, all over the state.  75 Precincts were represented.  For a small movement that is a very, very big voice and it worked.  We achieved a woman’s right to doula care, but now we need a woman’s right to doula care supported by iprivate nsurance and Medical Assistance for all women. Third party payment will greatly expand our client base, and eliminate the need for doulas to work as volunteers or for what becomes $5/hr or less. Better Birth at Lower Cost is our motto for doula care.  Tell your neighbors and your legislators at the same time. Make a joyful noise for birthing women.  One night can make a better future for birthing women in Minnesota.

Contact your doula or Birthing Ways - Doula Connection for more information please.


Resolution Supporting Doula Care

Whereas Doulas are women who provide professionally trained non-medical emotional and physical support to women and their partners in the weeks before and after birth and continuously throughout labor and birth, and

Whereas the Minnesota Public Health Association (2009) and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Nov. 2008) and Cochrane Review of Medical Literature (2011) – representing the gold standard for health care assessments - have all determined that doula care is highly beneficial for all women who desire it, and

Whereas Doula care reduces the rate of cesarean sections by up to 50%, reduces the use of narcotics in birth, reduces the length of labor, reduces the use of pitocin and inductions, increases maternal satisfaction with the birth experience,  increases breastfeeding rates in all populations, improves bonding between mother and child, and reduces postpartum mood disorders,  and

Whereas Doula care reduces cost to private insurers and to the public for maternity care through these many improved outcomes, especially for  low-income women, and

Whereas there are no side effects to Doula care, and

Whereas withholding professional doula care from pregnant women during the perinatal period is contrary to undisputed best evidence and is therefore unethical according to any code,

Be it therefore resolved that the Minnesota legislature and federal government will act to ensure that doula care is covered by private and public health insurance for all women who desire this care.

End Resolution

       Attend the Parent Topic Nights at 7 pm at Peace Church - 1111 E. 11th St, Duluth

Northland Birth Network Parent Topic Nights are free open forums that present families with an opportunity to meet individual birth professionals, ask questions freely and informally, and receive the latest evidence-based information from experts in the field of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and the childbearing year.

February 9th - Acupuncture and Shonishin in the Treatment of Children
March 8th - Hypnobirthing
April 12th - Understanding Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

For the Northland Birth Network - Iron Range Chapter Events ... visit Facebook 

The first Thursday of Every Month at Peace Church (1111 N 11th Ave E) at 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the Youth Room. Informal sharing circle as well as continuing education presentations; all doulas (active/aspiring/retiring/ resting) are welcome! Bring dinner for yourself and/or food to share if you like.

March Topic to be Announced!