Description:
Birth doulas help fill structural gaps in prenatal and maternal health care particularly in underserved communities. In our initial study on doulas conducted in year 2 of the HWRC, we examined the role of a doula, how they are trained, where they work, and what populations they serve. This study builds on that prior work by focusing on doulas who work with underserved and marginalized communities. The study found that while doulas work to improve perinatal health, doulas themselves are providing equity work amidst an inequitable system and with insufficient political or financial support. Increased compensation and systemic support which acknowledges the breadth of services provided are needed to strengthen and sustain this critical part of the perinatal workforce.
Lead Researcher: Marieke van Eijk, PhD
Contact Info: mariev2@uw.edu
Funder:
HRSA: HWRC Health Equity
Status:
Complete
Publications/Presentations
| Authors |
Title |
Type |
Date |
Documents/Media |
| Kett PM, van Eijk MS, Guenther GA, Skillman SM |
“This work that we’re doing is bigger than ourselves”: A qualitative study with community-based doulas in the United States |
PUBLICATION |
07-07-2022 |
Article
|
| Kett PM, Guenther GA, van Eijk M, Skillman SM |
Perspectives from Community-Based Doulas on Medicaid Policy and Needed Systems Change |
PRESENTATION |
06-25-2023 |
|
| Kett PM, Guenther GA, van Eijk M, Skillman SM |
Supporting the Doula Workforce: Doulas’ Perspectives on Medicaid Expansion and Needed Systems Change |
PRESENTATION |
05-04-2023 |
|
| van Eijk M |
An Update from HRSA’s Health Workforce Research Centers (HWRCs) |
PRESENTATION |
04-6-2022 |
|
| Kett PM and Guenther GA |
Experiences and Work-Related Conditions of Birth Doulas Working in Underserved Communities in the United States. |
PRESENTATION |
05-05-2022 |
|
| Kett P, van Eijk M, Guenther G, Skillman S. |
Experiences and Work-related Conditions of Birth Doulas Working in Underserved Communities in the United States |
PRESENTATION |
05-05-2022 |
Media
|
| Kett PM, van Eijk M, Guenther G, Skillman S |
Experiences and Work-Related Conditions of Birth Doulas Working in Underserved Communities in the United States |
PRESENTATION |
06-05-2022 |
Media
|
