“Another person who loves you”
Reconceptualizing Doula Care by Centering Cultural Competence in the Support of Black Birthing People
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19228336 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Obiageli Oniah (0009-0000-3659-7986, University of Wisconsin–Madison, corresponding author), Laura E T Swan (0000-0002-1371-3582, University of Wisconsin–Madison), Morgan S White (0000-0002-1309-9594, University of Wisconsin–Madison), Baillie Frizell-Thomas (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus), Jasmine Y Zapata (0000-0002-6303-5804, Wisconsin Department of Health Services) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-18 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2196-8837 • E-ISSN: 2197-3792 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s40615-026-02981-5 |
| PMID | 42000977 |
| OpenAlex | W7154856043 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
BACKGROUND: Black birthing people in the United States face disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, driven by systemic racism, implicit bias, and inequitable access to quality care. Use of doulas—trained professionals who provide non-medical emotional, physical, and informational support—is associated with improved birth outcomes, but limited research has explored how Black birthing people experience doula care. This study aimed to explore doulas’ support of Black birthing people and how those experiences shape perceptions of care during the perinatal period. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with 25 participants enrolled in the Today Not Tomorrow Pregnancy and Infant Support Program, a community-based support group for Black pregnant people in Wisconsin. Data collection included longitudinal individual interviews and focus groups conducted between 2019 and 2022. We used reflexive thematic analysis, guided by Black feminist and decolonizing methodologies, to identify key themes in participants’ narratives. RESULTS: Analysis revealed four themes in how doulas supported Black birthing people: (1) emotional support, (2) physical guidance, (3) accessible source of information, and (4) culturally competent care. Participants described doulas as trusted advocates who provided continuity, affirmed their experiences, and helped them navigate healthcare systems often marked by racial bias. CONCLUSION: Doula care offers meaningful support to Black birthing people, particularly when it is culturally competent and community rooted. While not a standalone solution to systemic inequities, doulas represent a promising component of broader efforts to improve perinatal care and reduce racial disparities in pregnancy-related health outcomes
Competence (human resources) · Cultural competence · MEDLINE · Qualitative research · Quality of Life Research · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Race, Genetics, and Society
Racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity prevalence and trends
Continuous support for women during childbirth
Cultural Humility Versus Cultural Competence
Community-based doulas for migrant and refugee women
Black Feminism in Qualitative Inquiry
Diversifying Doulas Initiative
Effectiveness of an Enhanced Community Doula Intervention in a Safety Net Setting
Experiences of Community Doulas Working with Low-Income, African American Mothers
Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis
It All Starts by Listening
Portals to the past and bridges to the future
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Reframing the experience of childbirth
Structural competency
Birthing Black Mothers
| Highly cited | No |
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