Community Perspectives on the Creation of a Hospital-Based Doula Program.

ABSTRACT: Objective: Racial and ethnic inequities in perinatal health outcomes are pervasive. Doula support is an evidence-based practice for improving maternal outcomes. However, women in lower-income populations often do not have access to doulas. This study explored community perspectives on doula care to inform the development of a hospital-based doula program to serve primarily low-income women of color. Methods: Four focus groups and four individual interviews were conducted with: (1) women who were pregnant or parenting a child under age 2 (n=20); (2) people who had provided support during a birth in the previous 2 years (n=5); and (3) women who had received doula training (n=4). Results: Participants had generally positive perceptions of doula services. Many aspects of doula support desired

SUBMITTER: Attanasio LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8665817 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature