Exploring the Role of Doulas in Supporting People With Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

BACKGROUND: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a serious concern in the United States, as indicated by the high rate of pregnancy-related deaths due to mental health causes. Doulas, trained birth companions, are a potential and promising intervention for preventing, identifying, and responding to PMADs. OBJECTIVE: This research explored the role of doula support for preventing and mitigating the negative impacts of PMADs. METHODS: Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 33 participants in Montana. Participants included doulas, perinatal people with lived PMAD experience, and maternal and mental health providers. RESULTS: The results demonstrated how the support provided by doulas is advantageous for perinatal people’s mental health and that doulas are well-positioned to identify PMADs and connect people to the needed care. These findings indicated that doulas are a trusted source of support for people who give birth and experience poor mental health. Moreover, in providing continuous, at-home care for perinatal people, doulas are well-positioned to fill gaps in the current maternity care, especially surrounding the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of this study include the need to support a growing and equitable doula workforce and improve access to PMAD-specific training and resources.