“Thank you again, It Takes a Village. We are very grateful for what you have done in support of us through our birthing journey!”

These are the words of a mother who came to us after a traumatic first birth that left her fearful of giving birth again. With therapy, childbirth classes — suggested by her therapist — and the support of a doula, she was able to face her second pregnancy with a confidence that she never thought would be possible.

She described feeling safe, reassured, and physically and emotionally stronger after her birth journey. Her story reflects what we know to be true — with the right support and knowledge, pregnancy and birth can be empowering, even life-changing. Without it, the experience can be overwhelming and sometimes experienced as traumatic with short and long-term impacts.

At the It Takes a Village Foundation, our mission is to ensure that all pregnant women in Bermuda, regardless of financial status, have access to childbirth education, doula services and nutrition support.

Why does this matter?

Pregnancy can be one of the most extraordinary but also most challenging times in a woman’s life. Add financial strain, fear of the process or lack of support, and the research shows that risks to a mother’s physical and mental health increase significantly. This care clearly does not replace that of the medical/nursing/maternal healthcare team around her at this vulnerable time, but research shows having a trusted and skilled professional with you before, during and after the birth experience makes all the difference.

Thus, the solution is clear: good, evidence-based childbirth education and doula support can improve outcomes for mothers, babies and families. The data shows that childbirth education improves confidence and that doulas reduce C-section and epidural rates, increase breastfeeding rates, and lower the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety disorders. Yet in Bermuda, 50 per cent of women surveyed gave birth without attending childbirth classes — and even fewer had access to a doula. Cost is often the primary barrier.

In partnership with the Women’s Resource Centre, we offer free community birthing classes, where participants consistently report increased knowledge, confidence and empowerment. One new mother said: “I felt completely unprepared before this class — now I feel so much more confident.” Another shared: “The facilitator was amazing! I feel empowered to advocate for myself during labour.”

It Takes a Village also provides bursaries for private childbirth education and doula services. Our recent survey found that mothers who attended classes had lower C-section rates (30 per cent) compared with the national rate of about 40 per cent, with even greater reductions when a doula was present. This is in line with international data. Given the potentially higher risks associated with C-sections, this impact can also be life-changing.

Beyond education and birth support, we help meet families’ basic needs. Through our nutrition programme and food vouchers, monthly diaper donations in collaboration with the government health visitors, access to essential baby items and, soon, breast pump provision, we aim to reduce financial stress and promote healthier starts to parenthood.

To grow this work, we must build capacity in Bermuda. We have funded scholarships through Childbirth International, enabling two community doulas, two postpartum doulas and a childbirth educator to complete our work towards certification. This investment ensures that more women and families can be supported with skilled, compassionate care.

The feedback we receive reminds us why what we do matters. One young mother with little family support told us: “I was very nervous, but having someone to talk to who understood made all the difference.”

A social worker recently said after making a referral: “You have made my day. I had no idea you offered this service — it will make all the difference to my client.”

And, finally, this from a colleague at Family Centre: “I know without a doubt that if it wasn’t for the education, guidance and doula support that my 15-year-old client received from the It Takes a Village Foundation before, during and after the birth, she wouldn’t be the mother she is right now. It has impacted her in a very positive way to make her, I believe, a better mother.”

At It Takes a Village, we believe that every mother deserves care, dignity and choice in her birthing journey. By providing education, support and essential resources, we are not only improving individual outcomes but also building a healthier, happier community — one birth at a time.

• Fiona Dill is the executive director of It Takes A Village Foundation. To learn more about our work or to volunteer, or donate, visit www.ittakesavillagebda.com. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector