Beyond the Bump aims to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth by providing teen-friendly, trauma-informed doula support and patient education.
the innovation
Beyond the Bump recruits and trains doulas to provide teen friendly, trauma informed care to pregnant and parenting teens. Our goal is to equip doulas with the tools and knowledge they need to empower teens to have the experience they desire and a positive transition into parenthood. “This was the best experience I ever had.” – A quote from a teen parent who received teen friendly doula support through Beyond the Bump.
why is this important to your team?
Pregnant teens experience inequitable maternal health outcomes, such as high rates of preterm births and cesarean sections, and low rates of breastfeeding initiation. These inequities increase for pregnant women of color, who are at a significantly greater risk of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality than White women. Doula services are an evidence-based approach to promote healthy pregnancies, births, and postpartum care among individuals—and a promising strategy for creating system-wide change by encouraging more patient-centered, respectful care in birth hospitals.
“We hope that by participating in the Breakthrough Accelerator, we will be able to refine our innovation and finalize key components that make Beyond the Bump unique, equitable, and valuable for all partners, collaborators, and participants.”
the team
The Beyond the Bump team is passionate about improving health and well-being for pregnant teens and their families. A diverse group made up of social workers and a doula with support from a pediatrician, the team has a unique awareness of the challenges expecting teen parents face and extensive experience supporting teen parents with their social, emotional, and reproductive and sexual health needs.
- Christiana Jolda (she/her), Children’s National Hospital, Project Lead
- Akilah Witherspoon (she/her), Children’s National Hospital, Team Member
- Emily Handy (she/her), Children’s National Hospital, Team Member
- Yael Smiley (she/her), Children’s National Hospital, Team Member
