Ohio Senate Passes Bill Helping Low-Income New Moms, Babies
October 13, 2020 6:27AM EDT
In this photo taken on Dec. 8, 2010, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Coltyn, right, begs for a kiss from his mom Tracy Hermanstorfer at their home. Tracy Hermanstorfer, now 34, went into cardiac arrest while preparing to give birth at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs on Dec. 24, 2009. Doctors quickly delivered Coltyn by emergency Cesarean section, but he appeared lifeless. Mike Hermanstorfer, who was at his wife’s side when her heart stopped beating, thought he had lost both her and their newborn son. But doctors revived Coltyn as Hermanstorfer cradled him in his arms, and about 45 minutes later, a nurse told him his wife’s pulse had inexplicably returned. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (News Talk 1480 WHBC) – With infant mortality being a major issue in Stark County, especially in the minority community, legislation recently passed by the state Senate looks to be a big help.
Senate Bill 328 allows Medicaid to pay for the services of a doula, a trained person who is not a healthcare professional but provides comfort and assistance during childbirth and the days afterward.
State Senator Kirk Schuring says the research supports the employment of a doula for both baby and mom’s good health.
Schuring tells us the statistics bear out the importance of a doula to the health of everyone at childbirth.
