Dear Fathers, a media platform dedicated to telling stories of Black fathers from all angles, has launched a new initiative named Dads to Doulas.
The program will pioneer a path to empower Black men and expectant fathers with critical knowledge and skills in maternal health.
Black women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. The mortality rate for Black infants is nearly twice that of white infants in America.
Through education and support, Dads to Doulas aims to bolster fathers’ roles as advocates for their partners and children, combating the dire maternal and infant mortality rates that disproportionately affect the Black community.
“By providing advocacy and support during the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum stages, the program hopes to address the staggering statistics surrounding Black maternal and infant mortality and how it directly relates to the systemic racism that affects unborn Black children and mothers,” said Brad Edwards, the community organizer at Dear Fathers.
The program is structured around intensive workshops and supportive networks that provide education on the physiological processes of pregnancy and childbirth, practical skills for labor and delivery support and strategies for navigating the healthcare system. These sessions are led by certified doulas and healthcare professionals who specialize in culturally competent care.
Additionally, Dads to Doulas emphasizes the importance of mental health, offering counseling resources and creating a community where fathers can share experiences and strategies.
Learn more about Dads to Doulas here.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
