Mississippi’s rising infant-mortality rates reveal deep cracks in the U.S. maternal-health system. This piece explores how Medicaid access, maternity-care deserts, and doula integration can reshape care, turning crisis into opportunity for reform.

Collaboration between doulas and clinical providers is a powerful yet underutilized approach to improving maternal health outcomes. When physicians, nurses, midwives, and doulas work in tandem with clearly defined roles and mutual respect, patients experience more personalized, coordinated, and effective care. This model reduces unnecessary interventions, enhances communication, and supports family well-being. Co-learning opportunities such as joint trainings or orientation sessions help bridge understanding between disciplines and foster trust. By building structured, team-based systems that center patient needs, hospitals and health institutions can strengthen outcomes and satisfaction for both families and care teams. Integrating doulas is a valuable asset to care delivery.

Community engagement is a critical