What does it mean to be NOURISHed? Implementing a full-spectrum community doula program for college students at HBCUs

Background: Addressing preconception health is one of Health and Human Services priorities to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality in the next five years. Chronic conditions, especially heart disease, can be exacerbated during pregnancy, birth, and beyond disproportionately affecting Black women. Black Women's Health Imperative has implemented a year-long community-based doula program for college students called N.O.U.R.I.S.H. to educate young women in preconception health and training as community-based doulas. 

Description: N.O.U.R.I.S.H's approach to full-spectrum doula training addresses gaps and knowledge in reproductive health along the lifecourse for HBCU students who may not have exposure to maternal health programs or access to comprehensive reproductive services. The program includes preconception health and traditional frameworks of care to improve outcomes for women of color across preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our prevention model is "knowing by doing." Through in-person and online trainings, doula mentorship, and health coaching, students are able to learn what it takes to show up to pregnancy healthy and whole. 

Lessons learned/Impact: Since its Fall 2022 inception at Morgan State University, over 40 doulas were trained to support over 100 Black families in Baltimore, Maryland with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula care. N.O.U.R.I.S.H doulas gain the knowledge and skills to support the needs of birthing families, save lives, facilitate self-nurturing and healing, and become leaders in their community.

Next Steps: N.O.U.R.I.S.H helps build the doula workforce to address perinatal health inequities and improve reproductive justice. Morgan State plans to include the program in the HBCU Alliance Team for Maternal Health (HAT) Initiative. N.O.U.R.I.S.H will be expanding to other HBCUs and has been approached by Howard University and Spelman College.