HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

CELEBRATING MARCH 22 THROUGH MARCH 28, ANNUALLY, AS "WORLD DOULA WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the infant mortality rate in Delaware was higher than the national average from 2017 to 2018; and

WHEREAS, adequate prenatal care is a live birth in which the mother received prenatal care beginning in the first four months of pregnancy with the appropriate number of visits for the infant's gestational age; and

WHEREAS, the percentage of mothers in Delaware who received adequate prenatal care in 2019 was lower than the national average; and

WHEREAS, doulas are professionals trained to care for and support families during pregnancy, labor, and birth by providing emotional, physical, and instructional support, as well as assistance during the transition to parenthood in the initial postpartum period through home visits; and

WHEREAS, the presence of doulas has been shown to improve postpartum mood, decrease the need for C-section epidural and analgesic requests, decrease adverse experiences, decrease infant and maternal mortality rates, and decrease the length of labor; and

WHEREAS, doulas are a crucial component of a comprehensive health care system and should be further supported by our State.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein, that The State of Delaware shall recognize March 22 through March 28, annually, as “World Doula Week” in the state of Delaware, in conjunction with the observance of World Doula Week, and that the House supports the observance of “World Doula Week” from March 22 through 28, annually.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution celebrates March 22nd through March 28th, annually, as "World Doula Week" in the State of Delaware.