SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Efforts underway in the Bay State to bring down infant mortality rates with Black newborn babies the highest at risk.
“There are tons of statistics that show that Black women and babies are dying at higher rates than other women and babies and so, yeah, just very excited to be able to support women and hopefully make a difference in these health disparities,” said Laconia Fennell, co-founder of Springfield Family Doulas.
Health New England is working to help get services in place for women of color who are pregnant or new parents. They recently awarded $50,000 to Berkshire Nursing Families, which is partnering with Springfield Family Doulas to help train and place four Black doulas in the Berkshire County healthcare system. Fennell explained why there is such a great need for Black representation in hospitals, especially in Berkshire County.
“It was nice for Springfield Family Doulas to be able to come into the community, find women that are interested in becoming doulas and training them, so they are able to provide those services for women of color, like you, we all know that decreases anxiety, decreases stress, and that also increases positive birth outcomes,” Fennell
High infant mortality rates for women of color in underserved communities has been an ongoing issue due to a lack of support and services to meet their needs. According to the most recent data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Springfield’s infant mortality rates have been persistently higher than the state average. In 2021, Springfield recorded a rate of 4.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the statewide rate of 3.4 infant deaths. Fennell outlined some of the challenges many pregnant women and their babies face.
“Social issues, do they have access to good healthcare? Do they have access to healthy foods?” Fennell asked. “Do they have access to transportation to get them from their home to the hospital or to these doctor’s appointments? Because with prenatal care, we know that we can catch some of these things and these things can be prevented.”
Angie Gonzalez is one of the doulas from Berkshire Nursing Families and is on track to becoming the first Black doula in Berkshire County specializing in birth and postpartum care. She told Western Mass News how she felt about this grant funding.
“I am extremely grateful to Health New England for providing this grant to Berkshire Nursing Families and Springfield Family Doulas to be able to train myself and three other doulas in Berkshire County Black doulas,” Gonzalez said. “I think we are the four only Black doulas in Berkshire County, which is exciting, but it is also sad that it has taken so long for us to be able to support.” The doulas must complete three births to qualify for certifications. After completing the course, they will be dispersed throughout the Berkshire County healthcare system.
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