Birth Sisters™: Support through Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond

Bringing a baby into the world is a powerful experience—and no one should have to navigate it alone. At Boston Medical Center, our Birth Sisters program offers compassionate, culturally grounded support from pregnancy through postpartum.

Birth Sisters are trained doulas who walk with you every step of the way, helping you feel informed, confident, and cared for.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and after childbirth. Their role is to make sure you feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way.

Doulas are not medical providers—they don’t deliver babies or make clinical decisions. Instead, they work alongside midwives, doctors, and nurses to offer continuous, personalized support during labor and birth.

Doulas help you:

Navigate labor with comfort measures like breathing techniques, massage, and positioning
Understand what’s happening during labor and what your choices are
Ask questions and advocate for your preferences
Feel emotionally supported, encouraged, and heard
Transition into postpartum life with guidance and reassurance

Many people describe their doula as a steady, calming presence—like having a knowledgeable friend or mother figure by your side.

What Is Birth Sisters?

Birth Sisters is Boston Medical Center’s doula program. They are passionate about helping those expecting during pregnancy, labor, and the early days after birth. They are:

Community members who share languages and cultural backgrounds with many BMC patients
BMC employees who work closely with your doctor or midwife as part of your care team
Supportive partners who build trust and provide guidance throughout your pregnancy journey

To participate in Birth Sisters, you must be at least 24 weeks pregnant and planning to give birth at Boston Medical Center.

What Do the Birth Sisters Do?

Birth Sisters provide continuous, culturally grounded support, including:

Establishing a trusting relationship during pregnancy
Listening to your birth wishes and concerns
Providing education about pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period
Offering physical and emotional comfort during labor and delivery
Providing at-home support (if desired) during the early postpartum period
Assisting with breastfeeding and body-feeding needs
Connecting you to community and hospital resources that can support your health and wellbeing

Who Can the Birth Sisters Help?

Birth Sisters are a great option for anyone who wants extra support, especially if you:

Have low social support
Are a recent immigrant
Are experiencing a teen pregnancy
Want or need additional support during labor
Are planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)
Are planning an unmedicated birth

Talk with your provider to see if a Birth Sister might be a good fit for you.

Program Vision and Goals

Promote Health Equity

Integrate culturally humble peer support into our perinatal care model
Amplify the life experiences, health concerns, and preferences of clients
Engage childbearing people and their families as active participants in their health care