The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43401

Lisa Kane-Low, PhD CNM, Department of OB/GYN, University of Michigan, F4835, 1500 East Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-763-2311, kanelow@umich.edu, Patty Brennan, Holistic Midwifery Institute, 128 N. Seventh, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, and Lauren Mardirosian, Margret Ricker Scholar, University of Michigan, 1373 Balfour, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230.

In an effort to address appalling maternal and child health outcomes in South eastern Michigan the non-profit, community based Holistic Midwifery Institute (HMI) intiatated a program that matches qualified volunteer Doulas, with at risk, low income pregnant women and adolescents. The Doula is a community health worker who specializes in promoting healthy choices during pregnancy and provides skilled and intimate continuity of care throughout the childbearing year, including support during labor and birth and assisting in the transition to parenthood in the initial postpartum period. Several trials have demonstrated a positive effect from Doulas in improving numerous maternal and neonatal outcomes, including sustained benefits in improving maternal/infant attachment. To enhance our understanding of the role of doulas in this community based program, focus groups were conducted with all of the volunteer doulas who served over 40 women in 1999-2000. A primary aim of the focus groups was to identify curricular needs that would improve the doula preparation for community health service with socially and medically at risk women. Keys area identified included culture diversity, the role of maternal and child health social service programs and methods to address unmet expectations for the women's birth experiences. This presentation will review the curricular needs identified by the doulas in addition to describing their experiences as they supported women within the Doulas Care program. Lessons shared by these Doulas are applicable to other community health care workers as they bridge the gaps between medical care and social services programs within a community context.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three added curricular needs to enhance a community based doula program.
• Describe methods to promote sustained participation in a community based doula program.
• Discuss three strategies to enhance community health workers ability to support women from culturally varied communities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.