Attitudes towards Doula Support during Pregnancy by Clients, Doulas, and Labor-and-Delivery Nurses: A Case Study from Tampa, Florida

Introduction: This study evaluated the supportive role of doulas provided by The Central Hillsborough Healthy Start (CHHS) Program to inner city women during pregnancy and delivery and assessed the reaction of labor and delivery (L&D) nurses to the presence of the doulas. The personal benefits of being a doula are also reported. Through surveys with 142 doula clients at the two participating hospitals and interviews with 18 doula clients, 9 doulas, and 10 L&D nurses from both hospitals, the authors found that 91 percent of women credited doulas with enhancing their birth experience and 87 percent reported that they would use a doula again. Women found the doula experience positive, although lack of doula continuity reduced the level of satisfaction. Doulas themselves reported both increased personal self-esteem and confidence as parents. L&D nurses reported that doulas were competent, helpful, and able to fit into the hospital environment. Doulas were found to provide four kinds of support including physical comfort, physical assistance, socioemotional support, and verbal support.