The Benefits of Doula Support for Women Who Are Pregnant in Prison and Their Newborns

Abstract

This study describes the characteristics and perinatal outcomes of 67 women who were pregnant in Minnesota's only state prison for women and who received one-on-one doula support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Participants reported on their demographic and incarceration-related characteristics; history of physical and mental health; and satisfaction with the program and time with their baby. Doulas recorded frequency and type of contact with women, labor and birth outcomes, and their perceptions of the time women spent with their babies. In addition, women provided open-ended responses about time spent with their babies. Program participants were disproportionately women of color, had limited educational attainment, and experienced high rates of physical and mental health problems. Despite these risks, they had healthy newborns in terms of gestational age and birthweight, and a majority were delivered vaginally. Although women were generally satisfied with the time spent with their babies, open-ended responses indicated a desire for more time with their newborns, as well as the emotional pain of being separated from them. Results indicate that doula care is an innovative intervention in this carceral context and has the potential to benefit the health of women in prison and their newborns.