Birth for Humankind

Who are we?
This presents an incredible opportunity to strengthen connections between support service for new parents experiencing systemic disadvantage. Starting in the City of Yarra, we are excited to enhance our early postnatal support services through strengthened partnerships across Melbourne.
Ruth Dearnley, CEO, Birth for Humankind
Birth for Humankind
Birth for Humankind has pioneered the delivery of free doula (skilled birth support professional) support for people experiencing disadvantage in Victoria, helping to bridge gaps in access to continuity of maternity care. Providing ongoing one-to-one during pregnancy, birth and early parenting, leads to better birth experiences and better child and maternal health outcomes, and contributes to reduced health inequity caused by systemic social disadvantage. The Safer Beginnings program will increase place-based access to postnatal support and help build ongoing social and community connections, to ensure families have access to the services and supports they need to thrive.
What are we doing?

Birth for Humankind: Safer Beginnings

People experiencing intersectional disadvantage are most vulnerable to health inequalities and developmental vulnerabilities, but least likely to have access to best-practice, continuity of care. Over 4 years, this project will provide birthing people/parents facing barriers to appropriate perinatal care with free social-emotional support, delivered by BFH’s skilled volunteer doulas and paid bicultural doulas.

What are the impact areas we aim to work within?
Impact Area
Thriving children
Other Areas
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