The role of doulas in abortion care in Canada: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Equitable and safe access to abortion is essential for reproductive autonomy. Despite decriminalization in 1988, barriers to accessing abortion in Canada persist, particularly for people in underserved groups. Doulas, working in a non-clinical and unregulated supportive role, may facilitate access to family planning services, but evidence about the scope, role, training, and efficacy of doulas in abortion care is lacking. The goal of this study was to understand the experience of abortion doulas in Canada with respect to their role and facilitators and challenges faced in practice.

Method

For this community-based, qualitative national study of abortion doula practice, we first created a national directory of all doulas in Canada in 2023 using publicly available

SUBMITTER: Paynter M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11875338 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature