Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Kern County (Bakersfield,CA) was recently awarded a grant by our local Proposition 10 (Tobacco tax) Commission to provide doula services to women in our community for a little as $25.00 (depending on financial circumstances).

Our services include prenatal/childbirth education, labor support and postpartum care (up to approx. 14 hours).  We trained thirty-one women with Penny Simkin (god bless her!) for doula services and Gini Baker (her too!) for lactation education and will be contracting with twelve of them after they've completed their DONA certification.  Each contracted doula will be paid our local 'going rate' for doula services in our community.

We really see postpartum care as part of a complete package for pregnant women and it's a major reason we were able to receive funding.

We've had about twenty-five babies so far (in two and 1/2 months!) and are funded to help up to 300+ women yearly.

If you'd like additional information, let me know.
Amy Smith
Executive Director
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Kern County
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