New Binghamton doula training group can help you get certified

BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) — There's a new group of people trained to guide local people through their pregnancies, especially those at higher risk.

The newly formed BIPOC Doula Network held its first training session at the Roberson Museum over the weekend. Doulas provide non-medical instruction and emotional support before during and after birth.

"The evidence is that they improve outcomes. That's why in New York State we have the Medicaid reimbursement in place because they recognized that this is one way to help," she said.

By becoming certified, the participants in this weekend's training would be in a position to bill Medicaid. Sulaiminah Burns founded the BIPOC Doula Network to address the lack of Black doulas in our area. Burns had originally sought to receive the training just for herself, before deciding that it would be even more impactful to open it up to others.

"A lot of times when a person, an individual is pregnant, they may not necessarily know what they need to do. They may not know what are the questions they should be asking their doctor. They may not feel comfortable asking their doctor certain questions. So, a birth doula lends a lot of support in that respect," Burns said.

Burns says she also wanted to create an opportunity for LGBTQ people to train to be doulas. She plans to organize more trainings in the future.

Women of color or trans men who are interested in future sessions can email