MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Motivations for Entering the Doula Profession: Perspectives From Women of Color

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2016

ISSN: 15269523

DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12497

PMID: 27862907

Abstract: INTRODUCTION The imperative to diversify the health care workforce is evident: increased diversity contributes to the overall health of the nation. Given persistent racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes, workforce diversity is particularly urgent in the context of clinical and supportive care during pregnancy and childbirth. The goal of this analysis was to characterize the intentions and motivations of racially and ethnically diverse women who chose to become doulas (maternal support professionals) and to describe their early doula careers, including the experiences that sustain their work. METHODS In 2014, 12 women of color in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, metropolitan area (eg, African American, Somali, Hmong, Latina, American Indian) applied and were selected (from a pool of 58) to receive doula training and certification. In January and February 2015, we conducted semistructured interviews (30 to 90 minutes) with the newly trained doulas. We used an inductive qualitative approach to analyze key themes related to motivation and satisfaction with doula work. RESULTS For many of the women of color we interviewed, the underlying motivation for becoming a doula was related directly to a desire to support women from the doula's own racial, ethnic, and cultural community. Other key themes related to both motivation and satisfaction included perceiving birth work as a calling, easing women's transitions to motherhood by "holding space," honoring the ritual and ceremony of childbirth, and providing culturally competent support, often as the sole source of cultural knowledge during labor and birth. DISCUSSION Doulas of color have a strong commitment to supporting women from their communities. Given the evidence linking doula support to improved birth outcomes, successful recruitment and retention of women of color as doulas may support broader efforts to reduce long-standing disparities in birth outcomes.

Url: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27862907

Url: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=PMC5143171

Url: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jmwh.12497

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Hardeman, Rachel; Kozhimannil, Katy B.

Periodical (Full): Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health

Issue: 6

Volume: 61

Pages: 773-780

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop