Elise Granath

The Alamance Volunteer Doula Program has provided women in child labor and birth with doulas since 2017. Doulas are trained to offer physical and mental support measures to expectant mothers before delivery, during labor and birth, and postpartum, and are proven to increase birth outcomes for both the mother and baby (Gruber et al., 2013). The program was created in an effort to reduce infant mortality, maternal mortality, and racial and socioeconomic-driven health disparities within Alamance County by offering a doula to be present at labor and delivery, should the mother desire one. The purpose of this research is to collect and analyze qualitative data from the women who utilize these doulas during their labor and delivery in order to understand birth experiences, outcomes, benefits, and areas of improvement. Mothers with doula-attended births at Alamance Regional Medical Center were asked to complete an open ended, multiple choice, and scaled-response survey to gather data on the birth, baby, and doula. The analysis included multiple choice and scaled-response data from 30 mothers and open-ended responses from 15 mothers who are ages 15-44, 64% White, 18% African American, and 18% Hispanic or another race. Results show overwhelmingly positive outcomes, with 100% of mothers reporting that having a doula was beneficial to their experience. Common sentiments among mothers were feeling empowered, comforted, courageous, reassured, and in control of their birth experience. 33% of respondents reported that their doula was a source of valuable information and support for the mother’s partner and family as well. The aspects of the program identified for improvement are marketing the program more and encouraging mothers to focus on birth goals rather than birth plans, as 47% of mothers felt their birth was not what they envisioned. Overall, these results show a positive effect on the mother’s birth experience as well as identify areas for improvement, and these findings may allow current and future community doulas within Alamance County to better understand, care for, and support their patient population.