Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Tm
A doula (l.) applying counter pressure to the pregnant person during labor.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday signed a package of seven bills into law that will promote education, increase transparency, and expand access to maternal health care for pregnant New Yorkers.
The law will provide doula services across the five boroughs. Derived from the Greek word meaning “woman servant or caregiver,” a doula is employed by the parent(s)-to-be as their continuous caregiver during the pregnancy and birth. The role of the doula is to be there the whole time to provide emotional support as well as to inform and empower the parent.
“This is a critical moment for women’s health in New York City and across the country,” Adams said. “For those who choose it, motherhood can be tough — physically, medically, psychologically. I’ve seen firsthand the resilience of mothers: My mother gave birth to six children. And the numbers are clear: Black women are nine times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women in New York City. Today, we are making sure all expecting families have access to health care when they need it most, no matter the color of their skin, their income bracket, or where they live. Our children are our most precious resource and by investing in them and their families from the start, we’ll build a safer and healthier city for generations to come. I’m grateful to the City Council for their partnership getting this important work done.”
The bills include:
- Intro 86-A establishes a public education program regarding the city’s standards for respectful care at birth and establishes a right to be free from pregnancy-related discrimination while receiving health care services in New York City.
- Intro 409-A improves access to data on maternal mortality and morbidity.
- Intro 472-A codifies the DOHMH program launched earlier this year to train doulas and provide doula services to residents in all five boroughs.
- Intro 478-A launches an education campaign in New York City to raise public awareness about the benefits and services provided by doulas and midwives.
- Intro 482-A requires DOHMH to provide public data on polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis.
- Intro 490-A codifies DOHMH efforts to provide sexual and reproductive health services and research sexual and reproductive health disparities within the city.
- Intro 509-A codifies a public education program on maternal mortality and morbidity, and requires DOHMH to report on the incidence of cesarean sections and recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and severe morbidity.
“This historically diverse and women-majority council prioritized addressing this issue to reduce the severe inequities faced by Black, Latino, and indigenous people in receiving equitable care. The horrifying lived experiences that have endangered too many lives are finally being acknowledged with concrete policy actions, and the enactment of these laws is a major step forward for our city. This progress would not have been possible without the leadership of women in the council, and it shows the impact on policy when women are accurately represented in lawmaking,” said Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
