Pilsen Wellness Center’s Doula Program pairs pregnant teens with a professionally trained mentor who guides each young mother during the last trimester, childbirth, and into a newborn’s first few weeks. Doula, a Greek word meaning “mothering the mother”, describes the program’s chief aims, namely to help teen moms transition into parenthood, establish healthy prenatal practices, enhance the childbirth experience, and develop positive bonds with their newborns. Topics covered include nutrition, breastfeeding, labor and delivery, as well as related drug-free comfort measures.
Research suggests that strong parent-child relationships, such as those promoted by the Center’s Doulas, are essential for a child’s stable development and later school readiness.