Images can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GuNkIVM4rAo3jHt1c4cf25bmoHeyWDFH?usp=sharing 

Research and personal stories reveal worrying disparities across the maternal health spectrum, typically affecting Minority Ethnic women and those on lower incomes.

Support ME says having trained ME doulas available during different stages of pregnancy and postpartum care will support parents and children and help close the gap in care many pregnant Polish people experience.

Doulas are specialists who provide non-medical pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal support, and they are seeing a huge increase in demand. With doula support, many women can forgo epidurals, avoid cesareans and have less stressful births [2]. 

Research also shows the positive effects of doula care are greater for socially disadvantaged women, low-income, for first births or those giving birth in a hospital without a companion, or have experienced language/cultural barriers [1].

Addressing these maternal issues, Support ME has launched a comprehensive training and supervision programme this week to support seven fully-qualified Polish doulas. The first session was hosted on 18 February at Tree, Newark-on-Trent. 

“I’ve dreamt about this moment for the last four years,” says Anna Rutkowska, co-founder of Support ME. “I feel I am in the right place, doing exactly what I should be doing.”

“Our first polish doulas started their training this week and we are already thinking about our next group. Our long-term goal is to secure funding to enable us to train more bilingual doulas and provide personalised support for more minorities in the UK.” 

Once trained, Support ME will match up two doulas per family to aid Polish women most at risk from possible adverse birth outcomes including those suffering from financial hardship or without a birth partner. 

“Support Me’s doula course has such a great atmosphere and is run by professional mentors who show deep experience and knowledge. I feel I have come to the place where I always wanted to be,” says Patrycja, one of the first Polish doula cohorts. 

Overall, 18 families will receive help from this new Doula programme, funded by Support ME.  

The project aspires to empower Polish mums across England, Scotland and Wales by improving maternal health and increasing knowledge among socioeconomically vulnerable and marginalized minority populations. 

Support ME’s doula project complements their successful ‘Polish Village’ in Newark. Parents are receiving first-class, caring and accessible maternal support across free classes, including breastfeeding support, stay-and-play and an after-school club.

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITOR: 

For further details, or to organise an interview please contact: 

Emma Oldham (07939180489)  / emma_web07@yahoo.com 

[1] A 2019 study reported that, out of 2,138 participants, one in six pregnant patients said they experienced one or more types of mistreatment during their pregnancy, such as verbal abuse, being ignored or refused help and a loss of autonomy. Additionally, patients who were not white were more likely to experience mistreatment during pregnancy.

[2] Research reveals that pregnant people who received doula support had lower rates of cesarean sections and preterm births. Pregnant patients who worked with doulas were also less likely to experience postpartum depression and anxiety.

About Support ME CIC: 

Support ME Is run by birth workers, mothers and volunteers who share a passion for improving perinatal and birth care for all communities and acknowledge and accept their cultural practices. Support ME creates a safe and inclusive space by offering culturally-appropriate support and guidance. 

Support Me offers antenatal, birth and postnatal support including pregnancy care, birth doula support and helping families manage their anxieties and emotions.