Mission Statement

The Doula Foundation of Mid America (DFMA), a non-profit organization, firmly believes that every family, regardless of their financial means deserves emotional, physical and informational support, before, during and after the birth process. DFMA believes each birth is a sacred event and doula support for “at risk” mothers and families help strengthens family bonds and ultimately decreases child abuse and neglect.

Vision Statement

  • Imagine the evolution of a memorable birth story …where a baby sees the first picture of itself reflected in the eyes of a mother.
  • Imagine a delivery where activities focus on the birth of a baby, the birth of a mother, and the birth of a father…where the baby rests skin to skin with a loved one.
  • Imagine a program where education, activity, and experience empower pregnant women …where knowledge links head to heart.
  • Imagine an opportunity for any pregnant woman and her support circle to experience the sacredness of the birthing experience…with a doula present to support, encourage and serve.
  • Imagine a place where children are treasured, nurtured and given the best start in life…where the face of the community is forever changed, one birth at a time.

Learn more about Doulas and the programs offered by the Doula Foundation through these local and national news programs:

KY3 News Report

KSPR News Report

Today Show Segment

 

Target Population

With the help of WIC, fundraising, and voluntary cash contributions the Doula Foundation of Mid-America (DFMA) provides funding for services to at-risk pregnant women of any age in Greene county and surrounding areas.  At-risk pregnancy is one in which the prospect for optimal outcome for either mother or the baby is reduced.  At-risk mothers and infants have a greater incidence of morbidity and mortality than the general population.  A pregnancy is considered at-risk if certain conditions are present that have been identified as dangerous to the health and life of the mother and baby.  These conditions include: 

  • General physical, social, and demographic factors (i.e. maternal age of 15 years or younger or 35 years or older: poor socioeconomic status; lack of prenatal care; maternal social habits (drugs, alcohol, smoking); inadequate human support resources, etc.
  • Coexistent medical-surgical-psychiatric disorders (cardiac, vascular, respiratory, neurological, chronic hypertension, diabetes, etc.)
  • Past complications associated with pregnancy (previous premature delivery, cesarean, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, fetal mal-presentation, etc.)
  • Complication during pregnancy (infections, inappropriate fetal growth, suspected ectopic pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, mal-presentation of fetus, premature labor, etc.)

Doulas contracted with DFMA attend only hospital births for DFMA's at-risk clients.

Startling Statistics:

Every day in Missouri:

  • 16 babies are born at low birth weight

  • 238 calls are made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

  • 24 teens give birth

  • 212,369 children live in poverty

  • 2 babies die before their first birthday

  • 1 child dies or a teen dies violently

Data obtained from KIDS COUNT in Missouri, 2003.