Doula care provides an opportunity to engage and empower families, improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and provide positive learning experiences in a practical and cost-effective way.
Investing in Doula care during pregnancy produces proven, long-term returns for mothers, babies, and families. The G.R.O.W. Doula Program Model will improve any local maternal and child health systems of care. The goal of The G.R.O.W. Doula Model is to increase community health literacy and improve outcomes among participating families by addressing factors that contribute to fetal death, infant, and maternal mortality, and morbidity.
G.R.O.W. Doula acknowledges that families look different and all families should have access to Doula care which is the goal of this program.
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a non-medical professional trained to support mothers and families with physical, emotional, and evidence-based information before, during, and after birth. The Doula helps to ensure that a mother, baby, and family achieve the healthiest, most rewarding birth experience possible.
What does Doula care look like?
Doula care is effective because it is built on a strong relationship with the mother that starts in pregnancy. During visits that start prenatally, the Doula shares evidence-based knowledge, assists with the development of birth preferences, and learns about the mother’s life experiences and family to provide the best support possible. When it is time for the mother to give birth, the “Doulas use techniques such as imagery, massage, acupressure, and patterned breathing to reduce a woman’s pain. They suggest position changes to accelerate labor or aid in fetal positioning. They also provide guidance and encouragement to minimize fear and anxiety, and encourage touch and communication between the laboring woman and her partner.” (Papagni, 2006 p13).
What are the outcomes associated with Doula care?
Nationally Doula care has been shown to reduce cesarean section rates, improve breastfeeding initiation rates and childbirth satisfaction rates. Some studies have observed a decrease in babies born preterm and with low-birth-weight, decreased transfer to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). This is verified in the data findings of the G.R.O.W. Doula Model.