With one of the worst overall maternal health rankings in the nation and the lowest ranking in maternal mortality, Arkansas lags behind in offering the resources available in other states. A newly formed advocacy group aims to change that.
The Doula Alliance of Arkansas announced its launch Wednesday, Aug. 7, in Little Rock. It hopes to improve maternal health outcomes by advancing the profession of birth work, improving access to high-quality doula services across the state and providing a professional support system for Arkansas doulas, according to a press release by the group.
“Establishing the Doula Alliance of Arkansas is a transformative step toward addressing our state’s maternal health crisis,” said Olivia Walton, founder and CEO of Ingeborg Initiatives, which focuses on improving maternal health and women’s economic empowerment in Arkansas. “As Arkansas faces the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, the Alliance creates a vital partnership between doulas and physicians, providing an added layer of support for moms during pregnancy and the challenging postpartum period. Ingeborg Initiatives is proud to support this collaborative effort to ensure that every mother receives the comprehensive, compassionate care she deserves.”
The alliance’s founding board includes seven Arkansas doulas and several members of the midwife and physician communities. The members include:
- Nicolle Fletcher, doula, chairperson
- Cora Crain, doula, vice chairperson
- Liyah Wasson, doula, secretary
- Sondra Rodocker, doula, treasurer
- Kwaeisi Golliday, doula
- Christina Green, an OB-GYN at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton
- Sarita Hendrix, doula
- Nirvana Manning, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
- Jamie Washington, doula
Founded by a $250,000 seed grant from Ingeborg Initiatives, the funds are facilitated by the Arkansas Community Foundation with Excel by Eight acting as advisors to the organization.
“We are excited about the partnership with the Doula Alliance of Arkansas and are grateful for Ingeborg’s dedication to improving maternal health care in Arkansas,” Manning said. “The maternal health crisis in Arkansas is complicated, and there’s unfortunately not just one solution that will fix the problem. The creation of the Doula Alliance of Arkansas is a positive step in the right direction. By bringing together doulas and healthcare providers, we can create a more integrated approach to maternal care that benefits all mothers and families in Arkansas and will help us create a lasting impact.”
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