Better Beginnings for Babies Bill PASSED!

After significant advocacy by YWCA’s Family Preservation Project (FPP) team, including incredible community partners across the country and FPP Alumnae that are formerly incarcerated mothers, Better Beginnings for Babies (HB 2535) passed!

Following powerful testimony from women who gave birth while in custody, Oregon lawmakers approved HB 2535 overwhelmingly. This new law directs the Oregon Department of Corrections to create a culturally-specific/trauma-informed doula program for incarcerated mothers, providing healthcare support during and after birth, and to remove restraints during the birth process. 

A big thank you to the legislative leaders who made all of this possible: Representatives Lisa Reynolds, Courtney Neron, Senator Deb Patterson and former Representative Rachel Prusak. 

Advocating for Incarcerated Moms and Their Kids

YWCA’s Family Preservation Project team and program graduates worked tirelessly for this law to ensure the best outcomes for maternal and child health and well-being to create the best possible beginning for children born to incarcerated mothers. During our Lobby Day at the Capitol this past spring, directly impacted women, children and families shared their experiences of being pregnant, giving birth, and postpartum care needs while incarcerated with Oregon lawmakers.

Incarceration and Childbirth 

While most prisons do not collect data on pregnancy status, the Department of Justice estimates that 5-10% of the over 200,000 current female inmates in the U.S. prison system are pregnant at the time of incarceration. Additionally, 25% of all incarcerated women are pregnant or have given birth in the past year. 

Compared to women in the general population, incarcerated women who are pregnant have a higher risk of experiencing poor birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and babies who are especially small for their age.

The Doula Program

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth to help achieve the healthiest and least traumatic birth experience possible. Doulas help with everything from crafting birth plans to providing support during the separation process to screening for postpartum depression and connecting to services like the Family Preservation Project and Expressions of Care as well as other parent- child-serving supports at CCCF. 

Why a Doula Program

With a doula, birth outcomes for incarcerated women and their babies include:

• 28% fewer C-Sections

• 12% more vaginal births

• 34% fewer negative birth experiences

• Improved breastfeeding rates

• Reduced Postpartum Depression

Every birth that occurs within the carceral system, becomes a child’s birth story.

We are so proud of YWCA’s Family Preservation Project team and all the work they have put in to make this bill become a law, helping to ensure the best health outcomes for incarcerated mothers and their babies.