PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New and expectant parents from across the region attended a community baby shower at Temple University on Saturday morning, to get information and resources about parenthood.
Dr. Sharee Livingston, an OB/GYN who co-founded the Diversifying Doulas Initiative, was among the professionals at the event sharing information about ways to make childbirth safer.
“We know that here in the United States, Black birthing people are three to four times more likely to die and that is not accidental. We want to reclaim Black birth,” she said.
Attendee Jhnequa Davis says she was happy for the resources. “I've gotten a lot of great information as far as doula services, giving birth and learning about early childhood education,” she said.
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Doulas, as Livingston says, are non-medical support people. “They provide informational support, physical support, educational support,” she explained.
“The studies show that by having a doula, you're less likely to end up with a C-section, less likely to have postpartum depression, more likely to secure a beautiful vaginal birth, and more likely to breastfeed.”
Aissia Richardson helped organize the shower through the office of state Sen. Sharif Street. She says there were also resources about the WIC program, early childhood education classes and more. As a bonus, many of those resources were free.
“There was a whole community of people who were here for you,” said Richardson. “Never be afraid to ask for help, because the resources are here for you. You are not alone.”
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