Doula Directory Survey

In order to assist our families in finding and selecting a doula, the WV Perinatal Partnership Doula Project staff has created a short survey to inquire about some basic demographics of doulas in our state. We hope to get an accurate account of our state’s workforce, the geographic locations in which you are practicing, and what services are offered, and where you plan to practice, or are currently practicing. The data received will be used to provide information for a state-wide directory. This directory will be posted on the WV Perinatal Partnership website and can be used by potential clients looking for services, for recommendations from providers, and practicing doulas looking to network with others.

Your response to the survey will not only ensure your business/name being listed on the directory and website; but you will also be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card! The drawing for this prize will be on Friday October 13th.

To fill out the survey, click here.

The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership was awarded a $132,000 grant from the UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia. These funds will expand the reach of doula services offered to pregnant and postpartum women in underserved and vulnerable communities in West Virginia throughout 2023.

This grant will help improve pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies by educating doulas who live, and will serve, in the same communities. Additionally, this new project will enhance and expand services to improve maternal and infant health disparities.

The grant specifically focuses on educating doulas, establishing, and updating an online doula registry for West Virginia, providing grand rounds for labor and delivery units; collecting data; and obtaining curriculum and educational materials for expectant mothers, providers, and childbirth educators.

The WV Perinatal Partnership will work in collaboration with the WV Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health and the WV Rural Maternity and Obstetric Management Services (RMOMS) program to build upon the success of this doula project to enhance and to expand services for pregnant and postpartum women and their families in the state.

What is a doula?

“A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”
-dona.org

What benefits do doulas offer?

Birth doulas provide support in some of the following ways:

  • Offering breathing and positioning techniques during labor
  • Empowering mothers to advocate for their health care preferences,
  • Serving as a liaison with providers,
  • Sharing guidance with family members
  • Providing breastfeeding assistance.

Postpartum doulas mentor mothers after the baby is born and may see to the mother’ support for several weeks after birth.

The Perinatal Partnership Doula Project continues to offer full scholarships for DONA Doula trainings.

The Partnership has been fortunate to be able to provide these trainings to many student Doulas over the past year, via a generous grant from Unicare. There was much interest in this opportunity, and we have only a small portion of the funds remaining. The Partnership would like to encourage individuals from the BIPOC community who have an interest in Doula work, to inquire about the training scholarship.

Please contact Annie White-Barb, RN, Doula Project Coordinator.


If you have questions about the UniCare Doula Project, contact:
Annie White-Barb:
awhitebarb@wvperinatal.org