In 2017, Brad Edwards and the mother of his son and daughter faced a nightmare scenario he prays no expectant parent must experience. Excited to welcome twins into the world, their joy turned to grief when the babies were delivered stillborn, an experience that would go on to shape Edwards’ view of fatherhood.
Since that tragic day, Edwards has turned his pain into purpose through his work with the multifaceted platform Dear Fathers, its mental health program STR8 Mental, and now through a new Dear Fathers initiative, Dads to Doulas.
Dads to Doulas prepares Black men for all aspects of fatherhood through education about pregnancy, the birthing process, and the postpartum stage. Launched in late July, the free, six-week program offers its 25 participants hands-on doula training, so they are informed and present partners to help ensure positive outcomes for their families.
“The guys will be as close to doula certified as possible,” Edwards said.
“The goal is to save as many lives as possible. Through training, education, and advocacy. Fatherhood starts in the delivery room.”
St. Louis data shows Black babies are three times as likely to die before their first birthday as white babies.
Through the program, Edwards hopes to close the Black maternal health gap and the Black infant mortality gap. According to state statistics, in 2023 446 Black babies died before the age of one – a total that could fill 13 kindergarten classrooms.
Another alarming statistic shows that Missouri is ranked one of the worst states for Black infant and maternal health.
St. Louis data shows Black babies are three times as likely to die before their first birthday as white babies. The infant mortality rate for Black families is 13.5 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to 4.4 deaths per 1,000 live births for white families.
Throughout a 5-year period (2011-2015) in St. Louis, 232 babies died before their first birthday. 174 of those babies were Black.
Compared to white infants, Black infants experience higher rates of nearly every risk factor that contributes to infant mortality, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. If infant mortality rates were equitable, 23 fewer Black babies would die before their first birthday every year.
“We’re saving lives by educating men on the importance of being present, having knowledge, and being an advocate,” Edwards said, talking about the disparities in Black maternal health.
The birthing process and mental health care aspect of maternal health is Edwards’ mission that he hopes will help other Black men through their parenting journeys.
During the six-week course, dads will learn:
Vital signs to pay close attention to
Bedside manners
Postpartum training; including depression for both parents
Breastfeeding
The chemical and physical changes women go through
Navigate the post-partum space
“When I was a first-time dad, I had to learn all these things on the fly,” said Edwards, who believes men knowing these aspects of pregnancy will also help save some relationships.
Following the death of his twins, he felt helpless like there was more he could have done. At the time he wasn’t aware of the information he knows now. He didn’t know how to speak up for his partner.
“I went into this thinking every birth is a guarantee,” he said.
In 2020, when he was expecting his daughter Edwards, decided to learn more about the entire birthing experience. He reached out to local doula Kyra Betts who helped along the way.
“It’s important to be in the delivery room with a certain level of knowledge,” said Edwards.
Edwards and his team plan to take what they learn from this pilot course and expand the program to other cities nationwide. To learn more visit Dads to Doulas.