minnesota department of health

Help Me Connect is a top spot for finding a doula in Minnesota

Free resource available for doulas and families throughout Minnesota  

One year after launching a list of doulas, Minnesota’s Help Me Connect website has grown to one of the largest lists of doulas in the state with extensive search features that make it easier than ever to find a doula.  

In celebration of May being International Doula Month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is encouraging families to find a doula through the Help Me Connect [ [link removed] ] website and is sending a request to all doulas to sign up for the free service.  

“The information, encouragement and advocacy provided by doulas makes a difference to many families,” said MDH Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “Their support can lead to people feeling safer and more empowered during their pregnancies. That’s a great way to start a parent’s journey.”  

The Help Me Connect site includes a mapping function for finding doulas and more than 30 filter options, such as for home birth services, cultural or religious practices and payment options.  

“We now have more than 100 doulas on the site,” said Maternal Care Access Coordinator Sierra Hill. "We know there are many more doulas across the state working every day to support families and we’re eager to see the list grow so parents have more opportunities to find a doula that is right for them.”  

Doulas currently working with Minnesota families that would like to be included in the Help Me Connect directory can complete the Minnesota Doula Workforce form [ [link removed] ] on the MDH website. In addition to supporting doulas on Help Me Connect, MDH also maintains a voluntary registry of certified doulas. Help Me Connect asks doulas to self-report their certification status. People can also confirm a doula’s certification status at the Registered Doulas [ [link removed] ] webpage.

Doulas provide physical, emotional and nonmedical support for parents before, during and after the birth of a baby. Having a doula with a shared background, lived experiences or cultural practices can have positive impacts on the birthing experience.

Research shows that the support of a doula can provide benefits, such as the following: 


* Reducing the length of labor.
* Reducing the likelihood of cesarean (C-section) birth.
* Providing nonmedical pain relief techniques.
* Reducing stress and anxiety.
* Supporting the partner/spouse.
* Babies often born with better heart rates and breathing.

The support of a doula is especially important for communities facing disparities including Black, American Indian, people of color, low income, LGBTQ or people living in rural areas. A doula can help families feel safer, more empowered to make decisions about their body and baby, and more connected socially.

Community groups and organizations around the state are doing incredible work to support doulas, increase access to doulas and champion this important workforce. Over the past several years, MDH has partnered with community organizations and state agencies to enhance access to doula support throughout Minnesota and improve birth outcomes.  

Learn more about doulas and birth workers on the MDH website: Doulas and Birth Workers in Minnesota [ [link removed] ]. 

*-MDH-*

*Media inquiries:*
*Scott Smith*
*MDH Communications*
*651-503-1440*
*[email protected]* <[email protected]>

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