Doula Services
What is a Doula?
Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. Doulas help pregnant mothers and their families feel safe and empowered throughout their pregnancy. They can assist with pain management techniques, offer guidance on birth plans, and act as advocates during labor. Doulas can help ensure clear communication with healthcare providers. Postpartum doulas also support families with newborn care, emotional well-being, and household tasks to ease the transition. Whether you seek comfort, advocacy, or hands-on assistance, doulas provide compassionate care throughout the pregnancy journey.
Community of Caring: Community Doula Services
What Is a Community Doula?
Community doulas are trusted, certified professionals from the community who provide emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Our doulas are certified in the HealthConnect One community-based doula training model, which emphasizes culturally grounded and relationship based care.
Community doulas do not replace medical providers. Instead, they work alongside families and clinical teams to strengthen communication, reduce stress, and support safer, more positive birth experiences.
Research shows that doula support can:
- Reduce C-section rates
- Lower preterm birth rates
- Increase breastfeeding success
- Improve emotional well being
- Strengthen trust between families and healthcare system
The Community of Caring Doula Program provides free doula services to families who:
- Reside in Paterson or the surrounding area
- Are pregnant and enroll before 28 weeks
- Receive support through 12 weeks postpartum
Families enrolled in the program receive:
- Prenatal support (education, preparation, emotional support)
- Continuous labor and birth support
- Postpartum visits through 12 weeks
- Breastfeeding and newborn care guidance
- Help navigating community resources and programs
- Support in the following languages: Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and English
Get Connected with Community Doula Services
For more information, email [email protected] or call/text 862-210-9952.
If you a hospital or community-based provider looking to refer to the program, use this referral form.
Doulas are covered under NJ FamilyCare!
The Community of Caring Doula Program began as a pilot initiative in partnership with St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson and the New Destiny Family Success Centers, with funding provided by The Burke Foundation, The Marilyn and Henry Taub Foundation, and the Turrell Fund. This collaborative effort was created to expand access to community-based doula care for families in Paterson and the surrounding area.
Postpartum Doula Support Services
A postpartum doula supporter provides evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant soothing, and primary newborn care. Research shows that moms, dads, and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team exists.
Services provided by the Partnership’s Postpartum Doulas in Paterson, Newark, Elizabeth, and Plainfield are offered in Spanish and English.
Partnership postpartum doulas in New Jersey offer many services to clients; the primary goals are to help “mother the mother” and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn. This would include doing things to help parents feel more confident in their roles, sharing education on family adjustment, and tending to the mother’s unique needs. Assistance could include breastfeeding support, help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth, assistance with newborn care, such as diapering, bathing, feeding, and comforting, baby soothing techniques, and referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support, and other support groups. The PMCH doula program in New Jersey is available to families up to one-year post-birth.
For more information contact us here.
How to become a Doula in New Jersey
Our Community-Based Doula program offers high-quality Doula training for northern New Jersey residents at no cost. This program is focused on developing culturally reflective doulas who offer peer-to-peer support for healthy pregnancies, births, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, and early parenting. Using the NJ FamilyCare-approved HealthConnect One model, doulas are equipped to promote maternal health within their communities. For more information and updates on the next application cycle, please fill out this form .
Community of Caring Program Advisors:
