Expanded Benefits of Virtual Doula Support
Studies have shown that people with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by poor birth outcomes. The Doula Medicaid Project advocates for Medicaid coverage of doula care to address this disparity. Recognizing the potential benefits, a few state health departments have begun to incorporate virtual doula services into their programs. These virtual doulas offer a more affordable alternative to in-person doulas, making quality care accessible to a wider range of expecting families. Virtual doulas provide a range of benefits, including:
- Accessibility: According to some estimates, more than 6 million women live in areas with limited or no access to maternal care. Virtual doulas can help bridge the gap and serve women in maternal deserts—limited access to traditional maternal healthcare services.
- Affordability: Virtual doula services often have lower overhead costs compared to in-person doulas, leading to more affordable rates for clients. For expecting families facing financial hardship, virtual doulas can provide a valuable option for receiving quality prenatal and postpartum care. A recent study published in [Journal] found that [percentage] of low-income women who used virtual doulas reported that it helped them manage their healthcare costs.
- Better outcomes: Virtual doulas can develop a strong relationship with their clients, providing consistent emotional support and guidance throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period. Even after the birth of their child, clients can continue to receive support from their virtual doula, addressing any concerns or challenges they may face. A prospective cohort study of 141 low-income first-time moms found that 58.3% of those with doula support (including birth and postpartum support) initiated breastfeeding within 72 hours, versus 45.2% of those without. At 6 weeks postpartum, 67.6% of those in the doula group were still breastfeeding, versus 53.8% of those in the control group. Among women with a prenatal stressor such as high blood pressure or clinical depression, 88.9% of the doula group were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks, versus 40.0% of the control group.
Virtual doulas utilize technology to connect with their clients, often using video conferencing platforms like Zoom or FaceTime. They can provide support through:
- Education: Teaching clients about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
- Coaching: Guiding clients through labor and delivery, offering breathing techniques, and providing emotional support.
- Advocacy: Helping clients communicate their wishes to healthcare providers and ensure their needs are met.
While virtual doulas cannot be physically present during labor and delivery, they can still offer invaluable education and coaching. Through video platforms, virtual doulas can observe their client’s condition and provide tailored guidance, such as suggesting breathing techniques, massage positions, or advocating for specific interventions—coaching the mother through advocating for herself and asking for what she needs. Their presence can also offer emotional reassurance, helping to alleviate anxiety and stress for both the mother and her partner. Additionally, virtual doulas can guide partners in providing physical and emotional support, ensuring that the mother feels cared for and empowered throughout the birth process.
Success Stories
The New York Times reported on a collaboration between Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City’s public health care system, and two doula networks to care for immigrant, low-income, homeless, and incarcerated women in Queens, New York using apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp. These women often are suspicious of or don’t have access to health care, and are twice as likely to experience negative outcomes. Those who participated in the hybrid doula program went to more doctor visits and postpartum visits than women who didn’t participate in the program.
Virtual doulas can help monitor the client’s health and pick up on symptoms that the mother-to-be may not realize are significant. In the same New York Times story, Janay Hall, a mother in Florida, said her virtual doula may have saved her life. She was pregnant at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and had been diagnosed with preeclampsia, high blood pressure which can be life-endangering. One day when she was driving, her left arm went numb. She pulled over and called her doula, who told her to call her provider right away. Ms. Hall called her provider, who told her to go to the hospital immediately. Her blood pressure was so high that she had to be admitted to the hospital for a month. At 34 weeks, she had to be induced, and her doula coached her and her husband through delivery via FaceTime. With their constant availability and personalized support, virtual doulas can be a lifeline for expecting mothers, ensuring their health and well-being throughout the pregnancy journey.
Conclusion Virtual doulas can play a key role in expanding access to quality maternal support in underserved geographic areas and to underserved populations, including those who can’t afford in-person doula care. They are breaking down barriers for women in need. Families may explore virtual doula services to help ensure a good birth experience and improved maternal health.
Don’t let distance or financial constraints limit your access to quality maternal care. Book a consultation with your WIN Nurse Care Advocate to explore the possibilities of virtual doula support and find the perfect match for your pregnancy journey.
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Nommsen-Rivers LA, Mastergeorge AM, Hansen RL, Cullum AS, Dewey KG. Doula care, early breastfeeding outcomes, and breastfeeding status at 6 weeks postpartum among low-income primiparae. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN. Mar-Apr 2009;38(2):157-73. doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2009.01005.x
