Community Birth Project |
Providing access to pregnancy, birth, & postpartum support to Maui families.
This program connects Maui families with birth and postpartum doula services, midwifery care, and lactation support.
Currently, this program provides supplemental support for two of each types of grant (midwifery care, doula care, and lactation support).
Applications are accepted during the first three weeks of every month. In the final week, the application will close and all families are notified of acceptance or non-acceptance.
Families apply directly to Pacific Birth Collective and if granted, choose from a list of providers below for care. Families are required to fill out a pre- and post-survey and to sign a contract. Support is limited to one service per family. Families can apply more than once if not granted.
Grants consist of $100 per visit for lactation visits (up to three visits), $1000 for doula care, and $2000 for midwifery care. Since costs for midwifery care are more than the grant covers, this grant works as a supplementary scholarship and the applicant will need to pay any remainders as determined by the practitioner.
Upon completion of care, PBC pays the practitioners directly for services provided.
Birth Doula: A birth doula helps birthing people prepare for childbirth and attends labor to support the mother and partner if one is present. Birth doulas are not medical professionals and do not perform medical assessments or procedures, and attend births at the hospital or at home with a midwife present.
A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support for pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. There are typically two types.
A midwife or pale keiki is a healthcare provider who is an expert in pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and postpartum health. They tend to be more holistic and supportive of natural approaches to pregnancy and birth. Midwives are trained to give physical, emotional, and practical support during childbirth. People often choose a midwife when they want to give birth at home. They can do prenatal care, order tests, provide education on nutrition and lactation, attend births, and care for the mother and infant after birth.
A cultural practitioner offering birth support is a professional trained via the apprentice model on supporting women and families through the rites of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with a focus on incorporating cultural wisdom, such as protocol and la'au lapa'au, into practice. They give physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support during childbirth. People often choose a cultural practitioner when they want to give birth at home.
Lactation support is given by professionals who have specialized training in breastfeeding. They help mothers establish good milk supply, offer guidance on nursing positions, and give advice on latching and pumping. Some lactation experts are IBCLCs, which stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.