By: Ashmar Mandou

Cook County Health officials on Tuesday launched a new program that will address the county’s high maternal mortality crisis. Officials announced the start of free doula care for pregnant women, a program designed to help families and hopefully reduce health disparities. “Doulas empower families by providing information about childbirth options and advocating for patients’ needs, helping to ensure women and children have informed options during labor and delivery,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

An Illinois Department of Public Health task force found that African American women in Illinois are about three times as likely to experience a pregnancy-related death as white and Hispanic women. During the press conference, health care professionals and doulas expressed that families that have doulas have less stress, fewer complications, and a more positive postpartum experience. “Our role is to help women find their voices and use their voices. We do not speak for them. Instead, we support them in their self-advocacy,” said Cook County Health Reproductive Life Planning Coach and Doula Shalonda Carter.

“I’m thrilled that the Board has approved a contract that will allow Cook County Health to provide free doula services to our patients in need. In Cook County and across the country, we face a maternal mortality crisis, but it’s a preventable one.  We need to be doing everything we can to support the health of mothers before, during and after pregnancy, and doula services are a critical part of that. As Commissioner, I’ve championed and secured $1 million in funding for accessible doula services, and I’m grateful that our County Health System is taking this issue on. I look forward to seeing how this new program can help reduce disparities in care and protect the health and safety of mothers and children,” said Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. Cook County Health will add 10 doulas and begin offering services to patients in January.