III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 209 

Recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving 

pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 12, 2021 

Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

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 care; and 

(2) addressing maternal mortality and morbidity in 

the United States; 

Whereas doula support includes continuous non-clinical 1-on1 emotional, physical, and informational support around 

the time of birth, including during pregnancy and 

postpartum; 

Whereas doulas empower mothers with information about 

pregnancy and childbirth; 

Whereas studies have shown that doula-assisted mothers are 

4 times less likely to have a low birth weight baby, and 


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•SRES 209 ATS 

2 times less likely to experience complications during 

pregnancy; 

Whereas research indicates that, with the support of doulas, 

women are— 

(1) more likely to have vaginal births; and 

(2) less likely to require epidural anesthesia; 

Whereas, in 2013, 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 identified providing coverage for continuous doula support during labor as a potential strategy to enhance maternal and infant care 

management; 

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 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— 

(A) low birth weight babies; 

(B) complications that might otherwise go unnoticed; 

(C) low-risk cesarean deliveries; and 


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(D) epidural anesthesia; 

Whereas training members of underserved communities 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the important role of doulas in 

3 providing respectful, responsive care to all women, 

4 including women in underserved communities who 

5 lack access to maternal health services; 

6 (2) acknowledges that doula support services 

7 provide continuous physical and emotional support 

8 to help mothers achieve healthy pregnancies and safe 

9 deliveries and recoveries; 

10 (3) urges greater recognition for the important 

11 role that doulas play in— 

12 (A) supporting improved pregnancy, birth, 

13 and postpartum outcomes, including maternal 

14 mental health; 


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1 (B) reducing health care costs and working 

2 towards the elimination of health disparities; 

3 and 

4 (C) overcoming barriers for assisting low5 income women of color and women in rural 

6 areas with access to health and social supports; 

7 (4) designates the week beginning May 9, 2021, 

8 as ‘‘Doula Week’’ to raise awareness for, and advo9 cate for the benefits of, doulas and the support serv10 ices doulas provide; and 

11 (5) recognizes the importance of access to doula 

12 support services, especially in underserved commu13 nities. 

Æ 


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