Black Fathers Train as Doulas

The "Dads to Doulas" program was created by Brad Edwards through the "Dear Fathers" platform after the stillbirth of his twin boys in 2017. The six-week training, designed by doula Kyra Betts, covers topics from the history of birth and labor physiology to partner advocacy and infant care, with participants having the option to pursue full doula certification. This initiative directly confronts a stark reality: in 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, a rate nearly 3.5 times that of white women, which was 14.5 deaths per 100,000. This racial disparity has persisted for decades and, in some cases, has widened even as overall maternal mortality has seen declines from pandemic-era highs. The presence of a doula is statistically significant. Doula-assisted mothers are four times less likely to have a baby with a low birth weight and two times less likely to experience a birth complication. Further research confirms that continuous support from a doula is associated with lower rates of cesarean sections, reduced use of pain medication, and shorter labor times. The active, supportive role for fathers in the delivery room is a relatively recent phenomenon. Until the latter half of the 20th century, childbirth was largely considered a female-only event, with fathers typically relegated to hospital waiting rooms. It wasn't until the 1980s that it became common and expected for fathers to be present and participate in the birth. In Virginia, policy is evolving to support this model of care. The state's Medicaid program began covering doula services on January 1, 2022, including up to eight pre- and postpartum visits plus support during labor. A 2025 bill that was approved by the Governor further directs the state to amend its medical assistance plan to cover up to 10 doula visits.