06/06/2026
As a doula training organization, we obviously LOVE and truly believe in the value of doulas.
Evidence shows that continous labor support can absolutely improve many areas of maternal infant health outcomes.
However, given our role and scope of practice, it is vital that parents, health care systems, society, etc., understand that we are NOT a substitute for adequate access to midwifery care nor other evidence-based OB providers.
Our role in education, empowerment, encouragement and continous support does not cover access to evidence-based birth and clinical care.
Doulas cannot solve the maternity care desert crisis. We cannot always protect families from defensive medicine over evidence-based care.
Doulas cannot fix or solve systemic issues in maternity care. Parents should not expect to be able to remain with a provider they don't trust and have positive outcomes just by having a doula. A community lacking access to midwifery care can't expect doulas to be a replacement for safe midwifery care, especially when it comes to home birth.
Doulas absolutely have significant value and an important role in maternity care. But we cannot act within scope to show the evidence-based outcome improvement without appropriate maternity care also being available.
We want to continue to see initiatives and coverage for doulas. This is vital. But it cannot be instead of improving access to midwifery care or improving evidence-based OB care.
We are part of the solution to our maternity care crisis but we are NOT *the* solution.
How can doulas best support improving maternal infant health outcomes?
