Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113129

Lisa Kane Low, CNM, PhD, FACNM¹, Amy Moffatt, MA², and Patty Brennan². (1) School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls, Rm 3249, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-647-0334, kanelow@umich.edu, (2) Center for the Childbearing Year, 722 Brooks, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

The use of Doulas is an innovative option to address complex health problems during the childbearing year. By combining social support with risk identification Doulas bridge gaps between the health care system and individual pregnant women. Building on the success of home visiting programs and community outreach worker models that work with at risk pregnant and childbearing women, doulas address the birth experience and immediate transition to parenting. However, Doulas address the birth experience and not the expanded community outreach role previously noted. The aim of this project was to assess the educational needs of Doulas who participated in a volunteer community based program called DoulasCare. The Doulas provided prenatal home visits, support during birth and three post partum home visits. A curriculum was designed in response to focus groups with the Doulas. After two years of serving 274 women and since implementing the new training, outcomes of this model of care will be presented including increased assessment of prenatal and post partum risks, the women's satisfaction with the program and its outcomes. Highlights of the program model include partnerships with other community groups to address the complex health issues of childbearing women and their families with an aim towards reducing health disparities. Policy changes are suggested that would allow more at risk women to access Doulas in this expanded community outreach role.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to 1)describe the role of doulas,
• identify community health outreach models that incorporate doulas 3)describe unique training needs to prepare Doulas as Community Health Outreach Workers.

Keywords: Community Outreach, Maternal Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.