Indigenous Doula Training

A doula is a non-clinical person who provides physical, emotional, and educational support services to pregnant individuals and their families during the prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum periods. Studies have shown doula services to improve immediate birth outcomes and patient satisfaction while positively impacting social determinants of health, supporting birth equity, and decreasing health and racial disparities that exist in our healthcare system.

Providing culturally appropriate services during childbirth is crucial for maintaining positive birth outcomes, racial equity, and the socioemotional health of families, and increasing the availability of registered, Medicaid-eligible Indigenous doulas would increase statewide access to care that is not only culturally appropriate but also affordable for low-income families who might otherwise go without. Miigwech, Inc. will operate Michigan's first qualified doula training program approved by MDHHS that focuses on care for Indigenous peoples. Working in conjunction with our Indigenous breastfeeding program, The Nooni Project, Miigwech plans to provide community trainings free of cost, eliminating barriers to entry into the field and growing Michigan’s doula workforce statewide.