Doula Care and Health Outcomes

What evidence from clinical trials supports the association of doula care with maternal and infant health outcomes?In this systematic review of 22 articles describing 21 unique studies, doula care was most consistently associated with improved maternal anxiety and breastfeeding initiation and emerging evidence on improved postpartum follow-up. Results across other outcomes were heterogeneous, with interpretation limited by variable study design, underrepresentation of marginalized populations, and poor reporting of intervention fidelity.These findings suggest that doula care shows promise but requires more rigorous, equity-focused research to clarify its effectiveness across diverse settings.

Corresponding Author: Peyton Groves, BA, 3550 Terrace St, Pittsburgh PA 15261 (groves.peyton@medstudent.pitt.edu).

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