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September 1, 2026Frontiers in Global Women s HealthOpen Access

Postpartum doula care and symptoms of depression and anxiety among BIPOC and Latina birthing parents: a longitudinal pilot intervention study

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Authors

JHJessica HanlinLHLaurel M. HicksGAGabriela Alvarado

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Overview

Longitudinal pilot study demonstrates reduced depression and anxiety after postpartum doula care in BIPOC birthing parents, highlighting a promising non-medical intervention for health equity.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of postpartum doula care on depression and anxiety symptoms among BIPOC and Latina birthing parents facing structural barriers.
  • Enrolled 33 BIPOC and Latina birthing parents with elevated depression or anxiety symptoms in a single-arm longitudinal pilot study within the first year postpartum.
  • Delivered approximately 24 hours of in-home postpartum doula care across roughly six 4-hour visits, evaluating outcomes at baseline (T1), mid-study (T2), and endpoint (T3).
  • Assessed changes in mental health symptom scores using paired t-tests among participants completing all study evaluations (n = 24).
  • Paired t-tests demonstrated statistically significant reductions in both depression and anxiety levels from baseline (T1) to study completion (T3) among completing participants (n = 24).
  • Intervention feasibility was high, with participants completing the study receiving nearly the full intended dose of postpartum doula care.
  • Participants reported high satisfaction, perceived improvements in postpartum mood and anxiety, and strong acceptability regarding future doula care utilization.

Cite This Study

Hanlin et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aacefe44ec2b7406dc1b536https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2026.1869956
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