This week is World Doula Week, and the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation is dedicated to partnering with organizations across the state to expand the integration and awareness of doulas in Arkansas.
Doulas are trained birth coaches who provide continuous emotional support, advocate for and aiding informed decision-making during labor and delivery, assist with breastfeeding initiation and support, promote positive maternal mental health, and advocate for culturally-sensitive care within healthcare systems.
The use of a doula can lead to improved birth outcomes for both mothers and infants, and has been shown to lead to reduced cesarean births, improved birthweight, increased breastfeeding rates, lower rates of postpartum anxiety and depression, and more. Currently, Arkansas has fewer than 50 trained doulas in the state.
“Doulas can be an important part of our states’ efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes,” said Pearl McElfish, Director of the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation. “By increasing the doula workforce, we will make Arkansas a healthier state for all families.”
In 2023, we trained 6 doulas, who served more than 130 clients. Based on the success of that pilot program, we are rapidly expanding doula training and certification. We are committed to training at least 80 doulas over the next two years. Since the beginning of 2024, UAMS has hosted two doula trainings at the Institute for Community Health Innovation. The first was led by Ujima Maternity Network, and the second – held this week – was led by Birthing Beyond.
“Organizations like Ujima and Excel By Eight Foundation are committed to expanding the number of trained and certified doulas in Arkansas,” said Krista Langston, Executive Director at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation. “Together, we are working with them and other community partners to improve maternal health throughout the state.”
In addition to training doulas, UAMS is also working with partners to support a doula association in Arkansas. The focus is on standardizing doula certification pathways and integrating doulas into care teams. Excel by Eight is leading the efforts to develop the association. Collaborators to develop formal systems and trainings for doulas include UAMS, Excel by Eight, the Northwest Arkansas Council, the Arkansas Chapter of American Pediatrics, hospitals across the state, and more.