Having a baby is an exciting and emotional time for expectant mothers and their families, yet it's often overwhelming without the right support.
One effective resource for expectant parents is doula services. Doulas provide non-medical support throughout the pregnancy, birth journey and immediate post-birth. The National Institute of Health cited numerous studies in 2023 that showed doula support was linked with better birth outcomes, such as fewer C-sections, premature deliveries, and shorter labor times.
The urgency to help improve maternal outcomes has a particular resonance in the Black community as they’re more likely to have pregnancy-related complications, according to the CDC. But the cost of a doula can discourage pregnant women from hiring them. While the price can vary based on where you live and what health system provides your medical care, the typical cost in South Carolina ranges from $800-$2,500, according to DoulaMatch.net.
That's why TD Bank's Social Impact team made it a priority to support Prisma Health’s Black Doula Grant Program in South Carolina. For three years, TD has offered support for several hundred women to receive up to $1,000 for doula services throughout the state.
“TD's collaboration with Prisma Health demonstrates that once cost burdens are eased, impactful care interventions can be as simple as making sure expectant parents have a trusted advocate in their corner," said David Lominack, Commercial Market President of South Carolina, TD Bank. "Doulas help mothers and babies experience more positive health outcomes, which aligns with the bank's commitment to invest in solutions that improve access to care in the communities we serve. By supporting these women through one of the most exciting but critical moments in their life journey, we hope to contribute to the long-term physical well-being of women and families while creating healthier communities.”
In three years, the support from TD has been an important resource to help Prisma expand doula access throughout South Carolina, in both urban and underserved rural areas of the state, especially in the regions around Columbia and Greenville.
The Black Doula Project has impacted women and their families across South Carolina, according to Rashana Keller, clinical educator at Prisma Health. She noted that this grant has specifically targeted women in rural and underserved communities "to mitigate the barriers posed by complex social determinants of health. "
"The doula-patient relationship reminds us that a bridge must exist between medical care and emotional support to provide a continuous presence that nurtures birthing people during one of the most sacred experiences of their lives," Rashana said. "We need a community that extends beyond the walls of a hospital to honor and protect a mother’s journey."
Helping mothers be heard
By tuning into the mother's needs, doulas not only enhance the birthing mother and baby's safety during pregnancy and delivery, but they can also improve breastfeeding success rates and reduce postpartum depression, according to Rashana.
“Sometimes the mothers don’t feel seen or heard by medical professionals,” said Arialle Kennedy, a doula working for the Black Doula Grant Program in the upstate region of South Carolina. “Being a birth doula is like being a coach. It’s my job to empower them to make their voices heard and be taken seriously.”
Doulas also set up home visits to meet the patients’ family members. These interactions help provide deeper understanding to the doula on how best to help the expectant mother and how to assist the entire family in navigating the birth of a child.
“A doula wants to see what the whole family is like because they want to support everybody in that space and prepare them for that moment of birth,” Rashana said.
Family dynamics can be an important factor not only for the impending birth, but the future of the entire family in generations to come.
“If certain conversations don't happen before a baby is born, whether it's difficult family dynamics or past trauma, these issues can show up at birth, especially in postpartum,” Arialle said. “How a child is born into this earth can set their trajectory for life. If they're born into peace and in love and their parents are in alignment, that's a positive investment in the family’s personal, generational wealth.”
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We hope you found this helpful. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of June 2025 and is subject to change. This content is not intended to be used or acted upon with respect to any client's specific circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with your qualified professionals.
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