Postpartum Doula Equity Program
At Tandem, we serve all regardless of ability to pay.
Having robust postpartum support is a necessity, not a luxury. Many new families are isolated from support networks. A postpartum doula can help bridge this gap. With their unique training, they are able to allow new parents to focus on bonding with their new baby and healing physically while feeling supported with household logistics and emotional support.
Thanks to our 2023 Persisterhood Workshop Grant, we were able to provide 125.5 hours of free and reduced cost postpartum doula services in our community using a sliding scale fee program and we expect to more than double this amount in 2024.
In 2024, the 100+ Women Who Care funded our services, allowing provide over 500 hours of support to 13 families in our community.
In 2025, our program has expanded to include not only in-home doula support, but also at-Tandem doula support, making it more accessible for those where in-home support is not ideal or possible. We expect to serve over 200 unique families with these services in 2025.
Our Clients' Words
Birthing parents and infants are vulnerable populations. Indiana has significantly higher infant and maternal mortality rates compared to nationally, with 7.2 deaths/1000 births and 100.1 deaths/1000 births respectively. The 2023 Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Report found 71% of pregnancy associated maternal deaths to be preventable, especially in the postpartum period. Postpartum doulas save lives. A significant protective factor against maternal mortality is a strong support system. Tandem services provide intentional, safe, and coordinated support for at-risk families.
Postpartum doulas are trained in identifying the warning signs of medical complications, PMAD, and help ensure safe infant care. Doulas are trained in developing strategies for tackling the challenges of a new baby and provide a safe space for parents to share their scary thoughts. Tandem’s doulas receive extra training in mental health first aid and receive support from our on-staff PMAD therapist who runs our Perinatal Mental Health Support Groups that are open to all Tandem clients. We have a proven history of supporting clients who come to us in crisis. When we described the vision for the Postpartum House to our region’s Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board Coordinator, her response was “this will save lives.”
At Tandem, we have 8 postpartum doulas who serve our community with support from our embedded perinatal social worker. With your support, we can sustain our Postpartum Doula Equity Program and keep our Perinatal Mental Health Groups free to all who attend.
Tandem’s perinatal mental health groups are thriving hubs of connection for families who feel increasingly isolated in their parenting journeys. Parents report our groups motivate them to get out of the house and they have discovered their best parent friends at Tandem.
Our clients report that Tandem provide support that dramatically changes their parenting experience for the better and can be lifesaving for those who struggle the most. We hope you will join us as we fight for these families so that they can thrive.