What is a doula?

Doula is an ancient Greek word that once meant “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to an individual trained and experienced in childbirth whose role is to provide emotional, physical and informational support as well as coaching to a mother-to-be before, during and immediately following childbirth.

What is a community-based doula?

SBCC Community – based Doulas are women from the same communities as their underserved clients who are specially trained to provide support during the critical months of pregnancy, birth and early months of parenting, free of charge. This special peer relationship is able to bridge care to a population of low-income, first-time mothers with elevated risk factors for negative birth outcomes, infant health challenges and poor child development.

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SBCC Community-Based Doula Program

Founded in the Spring of 2010 by SBCC, SBCC Community – Based Doula Program was born out of a growing concern for underserved women, teens and their families in Southern California who are often unfamiliar with prenatal care and the health care system during and after their pregnancies. By connecting underserved women with women in their communities who are specially trained doulas, our program is able to foster effective peer relationships that remove language and cultural barriers to prenatal and post-partum care in a non-threatening way, as well as provide educational and emotional support. With specialized training in Perinatal Mental Health screening, our doula program distinguishes itself as a full spectrum health care connection to mothers and families in need. [ Learn more]