268
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Supporting in solidarity: An examination of social support, advocacy, and barriers among birthing doulas

References

  • Adams, C., & Curtin-Bowen, M. (2021). Countervailing powers in the labor room: The doula–doctor relationship in the United States. Social Science & Medicine, 285, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114296
  • Akhavan, S., & Lundgren, I. (2012). Midwives’ experiences of doula support for immigrant women in Sweden—A qualitative study. Midwifery, 28(1), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.11.004
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee. (2019). Opinion No. 766: Approaches to limit intervention during labor and birth. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 133(2), e164–e173. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003074
  • Amram, N. L., Klein, M. C., Mok, H., Simkin, P., Lindstrom, K., & Grant, J. (2014). How birth doulas help clients adapt to changes in circumstances, clinical care, and client preferences during labor. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 23(2), 96–103. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.23.2.96
  • Atwood, M. E., Friedman, A., Meisner, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). The exchange of social support on online bariatric surgery discussion forums: A mixed-methods content analysis. Health Communication, 33(5), 628–635. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1289437
  • Bailham, D., Joseph, S., & Ayers, S. (2003). Post-traumatic stress following childbirth: A review of the emerging literature and directions for research and practice. Commentary. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8(2), 159–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/1354850031000087537
  • Beck, S. J., Paskewitz, E. A., Anderson, W. A., Bourdeaux, R., & Currie-Mueller, J. (2017). The task and relational dimensions of online social support. Health Communication, 32(3), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2016.1138383
  • Bohren, M. A., Berger, B. O., Munthe-Kaas, H., & Tuncalp, O. (2019). Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3 No.: CD012449. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012449.pub2
  • Bradford, L., Roedl, S. J., Christopher, S. A., & Farrell, M. H. (2012). Use of social support during communication about sickle cell carrier status. Patient Education and Counseling, 88(2), 203–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.018
  • Braithwaite, D. O., Waldron, V. R., & Finn, J. (1999). Communication of social support in computer-mediated groups for people with disabilities. Health Communication, 11(2), 123–151. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327027hc1102_2
  • Callaghan, H. M. (1993). Health beliefs and childbirth: Is it an illness or a normal life event? Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal, 6(4), 13–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1031-170X(05)80137-0
  • Campbell, D. A., Lake, M. F., Falk, M., & Backstrand, J. R. (2006). A randomized control trial of continuous support in labor by a lay doula. JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 35(4), 456–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00067.x
  • Campbell, D., Scott, K. D., Klaus, M. H., & Falk, M. (2007). Female relatives or friends trained as labor doulas: Outcomes at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. Birth, 34(3), 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2007.00174.x
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, May 10). Vital signs: Pregnancy-related deaths, United States, 2011- 2015, and strategies for prevention, 13 states, 2013-2017. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6818e1.htm
  • Chen, A., Oster, E., & Williams, H. (2016). Why is infant mortality higher in the United States than in Europe? American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 8(2), 89–124. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20140224
  • Cutrona, C. E., & Suhr, J. A. (1992). Controllability of stressful events and satisfaction with spouse support behaviors. Communication Research, 19(2), 154–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365092019002002
  • Deitrick, L. M., & Draves, P. R. (2008). Attitudes towards doula support during pregnancy by clients, doulas, and labor-and-delivery nurses: A case study from Tampa, Florida. Human Organization, 67(4), 397–406. https://doi.org/10.17730/humo.67.4.cj1v43277p63vu35
  • Dekker, R. (2019, May 4). Evidence on: Doulas. Evidence Based Birth. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
  • Delicate, A., Ayers, S., & McMullen, S. (2022). Health-care practitioners’ assessment and observations of birth trauma in mothers and partners. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 40(1), 34–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2020.1788210
  • DONA International. (2017). Code of ethics: Birth doula. https://www.dona.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DONA-COE-SOP-Birth.pdf
  • DONA International. (n.d.). About DONA International. https://www.dona.org/the-dona-advantage/about/
  • Duffy, M. (2011). Making care count: A century of gender, race, and paid care work. Rutgers University Press.
  • Eftekhary, S., Klein, M. C., & Xu, S. Y. (2010). The life of a Canadian doula: Successes, confusion, and conflict. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 32(7), 642–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34567-4
  • Ellmann, N. (2020, April 14). To Advance Maternal Health Equity, Policymakers Must Support Community-Based Doulas and Midwives. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/community-based-doulas-midwives/
  • Emrich, I. A., Fröhlich-Güzelsoy, L., Bruns, F., Friedrich, B., & Frewer, A. (2014). Clinical ethics and patient advocacy: The power of communication in health care. HEC Forum: HealthCare Ethics Committee Forum: An Interprofessional Journal Healthcare Institutions’ Ethical and Legal Issues, 26, 111–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-013-9225-1
  • Gebel, C., & Hodin, S. (2020, January 8). Expanding access to doula care: State of the union. Maternal Health Task Force. https://www.mhtf.org/2020/01/08/expanding-access-to-doula-care/
  • Gilliland, A. L. (2002). Beyond holding hands: The modern role of the professional doula. JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 31(6), 762–769. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884217502239215
  • Gilliland, A. L. (2011). After praise and encouragement: Emotional support strategies used by birth doulas in the USA and Canada. Midwifery, 27(4), 525–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.04.006
  • Glaser, B. G. (1998). Doing grounded theory: Issues and discussions. Sociology Press.
  • Gonzalez., (2015, July 24). Doula wars: DONA and ProDoula. Mesa Birth. http://www.mesabirth.net/mesa-birth-blog/2015/7/24/doula-wars-dona-and-prodoula
  • Granado-Font, E., Ferré-Grau, C., Rey-Reñones, C., Pons-Vigués, M., Pujol Ribera, E., Berenguera, A., Barrera-Uriarte, M. L., Basora, J., Valverde-Trillo, A., Duch, J., & Flores-Mateo, G. (2018). Coping strategies and social support in a mobile phone chat app designed to support smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 6(12), e11071. https://doi.org/10.2196/11071
  • Greiner, K. S., Hersh, A. R., Hersh, S. R., Remer, J. M., Gallagher, A. C., Caughey, A. B., & Tilden, E. L. (2019). The cost‐effectiveness of professional doula care for a woman’s first two births: A decision analysis model. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 64(4), 410–420. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12972
  • Gruber, K. J., Cupito, S. H., & Dobson, C. (2013). Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes. Journal of Perinatal Education, 1(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.22.1.49
  • Hardeman, R. R., & Kozhimannil, K. B. (2016). Motivations for entering the doula profession: Perspectives from women of color. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 61(6), 773–780. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12497
  • Hodnett, E. D., Gates, S., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Sakala, C. (2013). Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, CD003766. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6
  • Horstman, H. K., Anderson, J., & Kuehl, R. A. (2017). Communicatively making sense of doulas within the U.S. master birth narrative: Doulas as liminal characters. Health Communication, 32(12), 1510–1519. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2016.1234537
  • Howard, E. D., & Low, L. K. (2020). It’s time to dial up doula care. Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 34(1), 4–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPN.0000000000000456
  • Howe, L. K. (1977). Pink collar workers: Inside the world of women’s work (New York: Putnam).
  • Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
  • Infant and maternal mortality in the USA. (2021 January). The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, (5), 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30369-2
  • International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship. (2022). What mother means at IAMAS. https://iamas.com/
  • Kalaitzidis, E., & Jewell, P. (2020). The Health Care Manager, 39, 2, 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCM.0000000000000292.
  • Koumouitzes-Douvia, J., & Carr, C. A. (2006). Women’s perceptions of their doula support. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 15(4), 4–40. https://doi.org/10.1624/105812406X151402
  • Kreps, G. (2021). Health advocacy and health communication for elderly health care consumers: Rationale, demand, and policy implications. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(2), 113–138. https://doi.org/10.18278/jep.1.2.5
  • Lisenbee, J., Gil-Rivas, V., Webb, J. B., Dahl, A. A., & Quinlan, M. M. (2022). Birth doula care in California during COVID-19: The impacts of social distancing on a high-touch helping profession. Qualitative Health Research, 32(10), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221110807
  • Malone-Franklin, M. (2019, November 14). 12 ways to change birth in our culture, part 11: Use inclusive language in your birth practice. Birthing From Within. https://birthingfromwithin.com/inclusive-language-birth-practice/
  • Mann, J., Lown, B., & Touw, S. (2020). Creating a culture of respect and interprofessional teamwork on a labor and birth unit: A multifaceted quality improvement project. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2020.1733944
  • March of Dimes. (2020). “Healthy moms. Strong babies.” 2020 Report Card. https://www.marchofdimes.org/materials/MOD2020_REPORT_CARD_and_POLICY_ACTIONS_BOOKLET_FIN.pdf
  • Martin, L., Schonlau, M., Haas, A., Derose, K., Rosenfeld, L., Buka, S., & Rudd, R. (2011). Patient activation and advocacy: Which literacy skills matter most? Journal of Health Communication, 16(sup3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.604705
  • Martin, D. R., & Tipton, B. K. (2007). Patient advocacy in the USA: Key communication role functions. Nursing & Health Sciences, 9(3), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-2018.2007.00320.x
  • Meadow, S. L. (2015). Defining the doula’s role: Fostering relational autonomy. Health Expectations, 18(6), 3057–3068. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12290
  • Mottl-Santiago, J., Walker, C., Ewan, J., Vragovic, O., Winder, S., & Stubblefield, P. (2008). A hospital-based doula program and childbirth outcomes in an urban, multicultural setting. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 12(3), 372–377. https://doi.org/10/1007/s10995-007-0245-9
  • Neel, K., Goldman, R., & Nothnagle, M. (2019, May). Integrating doulas into hospital births: Provider perceptions of doulas and doula care [22C. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 133 Suppl 1(1), 37S. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000559443.76117.4a
  • Nguyen, T. C., Donovan, E. E., & Wright, M. L. (2021). Doula support challenges and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for maternal health inequities. Health Communication, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.2012898
  • Pasucci, C. ( Host). (2017, August 28). How to advocate without getting kicked out of the room. (No. 11). [Audio podcast episode]. In Birth monopoly’s “Birth allowed” Radio. https://birthmonopoly.com/episode-11/.
  • Platt, T., & Kaye, N. (2020 July,13). Four state strategies to employ doulas to improve maternal health and birth outcomes in Medicaid, National Academy for State Health Policy. https://www.nashp.org/four-state-strategies-to-employ-doulas-to-improve-maternal-health-and-birth-outcomes-in-medicaid/
  • ProDoula. (2021). ProDoula Standards of Professionalism. https://www.prodoula.com/prodoula-standards-of-professionalism/
  • Rafferty, K. A., & Sullivan, S. L. (2017). “You know the medicine, I know my kid”: How parents advocate for their children living with complex chronic conditions. Health Communication, 32(9), 1151–1160. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2016.1214221
  • Renteria-Poepsel, G., Hsien Cheah, W., & Poepsel, M. (2018). The role of doulas in enhancing patient-provider communication. Florida Communication Journal, 46(1), 33–53 doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.27.4.193.
  • Roth, L. M., Henley, M. M., Seacrist, M. J., & Morton, C. H. (2016). North American nurses’ and doulas’ views of each other. JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 45(6), 790–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2016.06.011
  • Rysdam, S. (2019). Doula advocacy: Strategies for consent in labor and delivery. In J. White-Farnham, B. S. Finer, & C. Molloy (Eds.), Women’s health advocacy: Rhetorical ingenuity for the 21st century (pp. 90–101). Routledge.
  • Salinas, J. L., Salinas, M., & Kahn, M. (2022). Doulas, racism, and whiteness: How birth support workers process advocacy towards women of color. Societies, 12(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12010019
  • Scott, K. D., Klaus, P. H., & Klaus, M. H. (1999). The obstetrical and postpartum benefits of continuous support during childbirth. Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine, 8(10), 1257–1264. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1.1999.8.1257
  • Servaes, J., & Malikhao, P. (2010). Advocacy strategies for health communication. Public Relations Review, 36(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2009.08.017
  • Simpson, K. R., & Thorman, K. E. (2005). Obstetric “conveniences”: Elective induction of labor, cesarean birth on demand, and other potentially unnecessary interventions. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 19(2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005237-200504000-00010
  • Steel, A., Frawley, J., Adams, J., & Diezel, H. (2015). Trained or professional doulas in the support and care of pregnant and birthing women: A critical integrative review. Health and Social Care in the Community, 23(3), 225–241. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12112
  • Stevens, J., Dahlen, H., Peters, K., & Jackson, D. (2011). Midwives’ and doulas’ perspectives of the role of the doula in Australia: A qualitative study. Midwifery, 27(4), 509–516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.04.002
  • Thoits, P. A. (2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 52(2), 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510395592
  • Thomas, D. R. (2017). Feedback from research participants: Are member checks useful in qualitative research? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 14(1), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2016.1219435
  • Utz, S. (2019). Social network sites as vehicles for effective/ineffective social support. In N. Egbert & K. B. Wright (Eds.), Social support and health in the digital age (pp. 5–28). Rowman and Littlefield.
  • World Health Organization. (2018). WHO Recommendations: Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/260178/1/9789241550215-eng.pdf?ua=1
  • Young, C. (2021). Professional ambivalence among care workers: The case of doula practice. Health, 25(3), 306–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459319886115

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.