Doula Support for Premature Birth

This trial explores whether a community doula (a trained support person) can help reduce stress for families with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Families will either receive traditional care or be paired with a doula who provides enhanced support, including weekly visits, for six weeks. The goal is to determine if this extra support can improve stress management. Families with babies in the NICU at Women and Infants Hospital, who are expected to stay for at least two weeks and speak English or Spanish, are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to understanding how additional support can enhance stress management during a challenging time.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research has shown that extra support from a doula is generally safe and well-received. Studies have found that involving a doula in care during pregnancy and childbirth often leads to better outcomes. For instance, mothers with doula support tend to experience fewer cesarean sections and easier deliveries.

Other research indicates that women with doula care are less likely to give birth prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and have babies with low birth weight. This suggests that doula support can lead to healthier pregnancies and births.

Researchers are excited about the enhanced doula support for premature births because it offers personalized, one-on-one care specifically designed for families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Unlike standard care, which primarily focuses on medical treatment, this approach includes a dedicated postpartum NICU doula who provides weekly support for six weeks, reinforcing health education and addressing medical, mental health, and social needs. This holistic and intensive engagement aims to improve overall family well-being and ensure that families have access to the necessary resources and support systems.

Research has shown that having a doula can lower stress for families with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In this trial, participants in the enhanced doula support arm will receive one-on-one support from a dedicated postpartum NICU doula. Studies have found that doula support can lead to better outcomes for mothers and babies, such as fewer early births and fewer delivery complications. Those who work with doulas also report feeling less stressed and experiencing better mental health. Additionally, having a doula is linked to greater satisfaction with the birth experience. These findings suggest that a doula might help families feel less stressed during this challenging time.¹²⁶⁷⁸