Multisite implementation of trained volunteer doula support for disadvantaged childbearing women: a mixed-methods evaluation
Spiby H, Green JM, Darwin Z, Willmot H, Knox D, McLeish J, Smith M
Record ID 32015000454
English
Authors' objectives:
The project addressed four broad questions: implications for the NHS; health and psychosocial impacts for women; impacts on doulas; and the processes of implementing and sustaining a volunteer doula service for disadvantaged childbearing women.
Authors' recommendations:
This is the largest independent evaluation of volunteer doula support in the UK. Limitations include lower than optimal questionnaire response rates and the relatively small sample size available for outcome measurement. Our findings of positive psychosocial impacts reflect those reported among women in other settings, where women may not have access to midwifery support. Significant improvements in maintaining breastfeeding were particularly striking. Volunteer doulas were highly regarded by women and doula support was accepted by NHS midwives. Doulas enjoyed the role and reported positive impacts for various areas of their lives. Funding was a continuing challenge for doula services.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2015
URL for published report:
http://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/139782/PlainEnglishSummary-hsdr03080.pdf
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Female
- Pregnancy
- Natural Childbirth
- Delivery, Obstetric
- Midwifery
- Labor, Obstetric
- Prenatal Care
Contact
Organisation Name:
NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research programme
Contact Address:
NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright:
Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.