Prenatal Services
Doula Program
We provide parents with positive, persistent outreach services and in-home coaching to help them learn about pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
Child Wellness Begins at Pregnancy
We believe family strengthening begins before birth.
But not all moms and dads have equal access to the care, resources, and support that they need to successfully transition into parenthood.
Doulas play a critical role in navigating these barriers, partnering with families to ensure they have the services they need regardless of the color of their skin or the zip code they live in.
Our doulas walk hand in hand with countless moms and dads who have a range of emotions as they prepare to bring a new life into the world, helping parents with stress management, breastfeeding, problem solving skills, and safety education. The cumulative effect of these efforts strengthens families and reduces the risk of child abuse and neglect.
Who We Serve
Expectant Mothers and their Partners
Doula services are available to expectant mothers and their partners and most enroll during the third trimester of pregnancy. The Doula Program reaches out to young mothers and fathers who would like support services.
Referrals
The Public Health Department, doctors, schools and other community agencies also refer parents to the Doula Program during pregnancy.
Father Participation
We acknowledge that doula programs have historically focused on mothers and other female caregivers and so we recognize that there is more we can do to address the barriers that impact father participation. We are committed to addressing those barriers, engaging fathers, partners, and other caregivers whenever possible, helping to promote healthy attachment between fathers and their babies, and emphasizing healthy, safe communication and shared decision-making.
What We Provide
Screening
Our Doulas screen parents for maternal depression, domestic violence, and parental stress as well as providing information on topics like early childhood development and encouraging healthy, safe child-family interactions.
Labor and Delivery
We also support expectant parents and their partners in the way they choose to labor, acting as a liaison with hospital staff when necessary. We bear witness to the life-changing moment that a parent becomes a parent, often for the first time. During labor and delivery, we offer ideas and encouragement and are completely present for whatever parents need; at the same time, we are respectful of boundaries and are sure to support parents, partners, and family members, helping them participate in the labor and delivery to the extent that they are comfortable.
Post Delivery
The family remains in the program until the child is 6-8 weeks old and then is referred to long-term home visiting services.
Parents Care & Share Prenatal Group
The Doula Program also offers an 8-week Parents Care & Share Prenatal Group that connects parents to other parents and covers topics such as prenatal care, stress, nutrition, labor and delivery.
Where We Serve
Counties Served:
Champaign, Ford, Vermillion, Piatt, Winnebago, Boone, McLean, Tazewell, Woodford, Dekalb, Kane, Kendall, Grundy
It’s important for every mom, but especially our moms of color, to feel validated and that they have an advocate. And that’s what we do as doulas and on a larger scale, what we do as an agency.Jasmine Martin, Doula Program Supervisor
Brightpoint’s Doula Program is accredited by the COA. Our doulas obtain certification through Doulas of North America and we also have staff who are certified lactation counselors.
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