Diana is a new mom who was pregnant during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. She faced the uncertainty of giving birth during a global pandemic while living more than 2,700 miles away from her mother, her family and her support network in Venezuela. In a new country with limited resources, Diana was feeling scared and unsure what to do next.
Luckily, Diana’s prenatal clinic connected her with a Start Early doula who was able to be there with her every step of the way along her pregnancy journey. Diana said of her doula “she was my main support over the past year. She taught me how to advocate for myself and my child.”
Now 6-months old, her son Mateo is almost crawling and sitting up by himself, and Diana has enjoyed watching him grow. “He’s really strong,” she says. “I’m just amazed with him. It’s fun to see him growing.”
Our doula programs are a critical piece of our work – reaching parents and helping to establish strong relationships and behaviors before their child is even born. This critical window can make the difference between a lifetime of challenges and a healthy, thriving child. | 
