Evidence Supporting the Doula Advantage: Review of Lemon et al. 2025 (Journal Article)
- Dr. Shavonn R. Watkins
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
In a recent study entitled "Quantifying the Association Between Doula Care and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes" published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a total of 17,831 births from January 2021 to December 2022 were tracked at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Of the 17, 831 tracked births, 486 received Doula support. This study aimed to assess the impact of Doula care on various maternal and neonatal outcomes, while considering factors including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic conditions based on neighborhood of residence (Area Deprivation Index), and insurance status.
Key Findings from Journal Article:
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC):Â For every 100 patients that received Doula care as part of this study, there were 15 to 34 more VBACs compared to those without Doula support.
Postpartum Care:Â Doula-supported patients were 5 to 6 times more likely to attend a postpartum office visit.
Breastfeeding:Â Infants of Doula-supported mothers were 20% more likely to be exclusively breastfed.
Preterm Births:Â There were 3 to 4 fewer preterm births per 100 Doula-supported deliveries.
The positive outcomes listed above were consistent across different racial and insurance groups. Additionally, these benefits remained when Doula care was defined as having at least three prenatal encounters with a Doula. Therefore, overall, this study provides evidence supporting that Doula care can enhance maternal and neonatal health outcomes, particularly among populations at higher risk, by providing continuous emotional and informational support during pregnancy and childbirth.
The following link can be used to access the full journal article and supplemental materials: