The Birth of the Plus One Doula Program
A collaboration between Aspirus St. Luke’s and Doulas of Duluth breaks down barriers
When Willem Cummings was born, his parents feared the worst. “He was given an Apgar score of two, when seven to ten is normal,” said his mom, Mallory Cummings, RN, Aspirus St. Luke’s Maternal Child Health Project Manager. “It was absolutely awful. We didn’t know if he was going to make it.”
Even after Willem’s condition improved, Mallory found herself haunted the traumatic experience. When asked what she would have done differently, she said, “My birthing team did such a great job, but I would have loved to have had a doula as a birth witness to process things with afterwards. It would have made a huge difference.”
Doulas offer numerous benefits, including improved patient experience, reduced risk of complications and negative outcomes, lower likelihood of maternal mental health, quicker labor progression, and up to a 40% decrease in the need for C-sections, along with fewer interventions.
The problem? Not everyone can afford a doula.
“In 2021, there wasn’t anyone in the Duluth area providing this service who could be reimbursed through Medicaid. That left nearly half of the birthing population without access,” explained Mallory. “Having a doula was a privilege, and I knew we could do better than that. So, I set out to find a way to make this service more accessible.”
Building partnerships and securing support
Mallory’s first step was contacting Dana Morrison, owner of Doulas of Duluth. The two had become well acquainted during Mallory’s 5 years as a labor and delivery nurse.
“When Mallory told me she that she wanted to create a program that gives more women the chance to benefit from the care of a doula, I was so excited,” said Dana. “We wanted to help in any way we could.”
With a community partner secured, Mallory’s next step was acquiring internal support and approval to explore funding. She began searching and came across the Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grant. Soon, she and a team from Aspirus St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s Foundation met with a Grantmaking Officer at the Bush Foundation.
“About a year later, we received a $1.7 million grant,” said Mallory. “We were all thrilled!”
How the program works
Today, all qualifying Aspirus St. Luke’s patients can receive financial assistance to hire a doula. They simply need to be planning to deliver at Aspirus St. Luke’s Birthing Center and be less than 28 weeks gestation when they apply. With a partial scholarship, they will only be responsible for $650. Limited full scholarships are also available for those experiencing financial hardships.
Care begins with a free consultation with Doulas of Duluth. This helps patients pick the right doula. Before their delivery, they'll have a few meetings with their doula to build rapport, discuss birth preferences and receive education.
The doula will be with the patient throughout labor, offering support. They'll also stay a couple of hours post-birth to ensure the patient is comfortable. The doula will then visit the patient’s home several times after baby is born.
Dana, who has been recruiting and training to expand her team, now works with a diverse group of 12 from all different walks of life. “I'm extremely proud to stand next to each doula on our team,” she said. “They're all connecting with people in their specific communities and making such a difference.”
Bringing birth equity to Duluth and beyond
However, Mallory’s and Dana’s goals are aimed higher than simply making a difference in their local community. Ultimately, they hope to change Minnesota legislation.
“Rhode Island became the first state where doulas are covered – regardless of your insurance,” said Mallory. “Why can’t we do that here? If we can show through our outcomes that increasing access makes birth more equitable, that will give us a strong platform to speak from.”
For Dana, this partnership builds appreciation for the people at Aspirus St. Luke’s who’ve worked hard to bring this opportunity to the community. “It shows me that they care about more than just turning a profit,” said Dana. “They care about people's experiences and outcomes.
“We need to be supporting all patients, but especially the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our communities. The Plus One Doula Program is a practical way to do that. It’s a beautiful thing and I’m proud to partner with Aspirus St. Luke’s.”
Learn more at slhduluth.com/PlusOne.