Walking That Fine Line

Doulas as Overseers of Evidence-based Practice

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2363736
AutoresMegan M Henley (0000-0002-4428-1794, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO, USA, autor de correspondencia)
Año2023
Volumen66
Número2
Páginas375-394
Fecha de publicación2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociological Perspectives (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0731-1214 • E-ISSN: 1533-8673
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/07311214221121161
OpenAlexW4294219552
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas40

Doulas provide individualized support during labor and childbirth. Research has consistently shown that having doulas support increases positive physical and psychological outcomes. Professional medical organizations have begun to recognize the evidence showing the positive effects of doula support. Even though professional organizations recommend doulas to reduce non-medically indicated treatments such as overuse of cesarean delivery, many practitioners uphold their authority to intervene as they see necessary. I utilize interviews with 25 doulas to explore how doulas use scientific evidence to ensure that women receive appropriate care. Results indicate that doulas do not think that many obstetricians follow evidence-based practices; doulas feel compelled to serve as overseers who remind medical staff about the clinical guidelines. In addition, doulas use evidence to prepare mothers to confront providers. I argue that while doulas can help close gaps, obstetric medicine needs to implement evidence-based strategies more systemically to improve care for all women

Childbirth · Health care · Maternity care · Political science · Pregnancy · Scientific evidence · Global Maternal and Child Health · Maternal and fetal healthcare · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology