Impact

Why focus on pregnancy, birth and postpartum?

• Positive social and educational support during this time can have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of new mothers and their families.
• Research shows women who have doula support have fewer complications such as C-sections, lower rates of postpartum depression and are more likely to breastfeed.
• When a mom receives good support during birth and early postpartum, she’s more likely to attach well to her baby – and this decreases the risk of infant mortality and early child abuse and neglect.
• Parent-child attachment is an essential element in creating a solid foundation that ensures that children thrive in their learning and readiness for kindergarten and beyond.

Why Open Arms? Open Arms’ services:

• Reduce medical interventions and the costs of perinatal care
• Provide education about pregnancy, birth options, breastfeeding and positive early parenting
• Increase awareness and personal advocacy skills, which set the stage for new mothers to be empowered, confident and strong advocates for their children and families
• Remove barriers by acting as cultural navigators, providing culturally competent links from community to the health care system.