Doula and Clinician Collaboration

CHA is developing guidance for hospitals across the state to integrate policies and practices that enhance collaboration between clinical staff and doulas as they work together to care for birthing people. Cultivating a culture of inter-professional collaboration and trust among healthcare providers and community-based doulas is key to raising awareness about the valuable skillset of doulas and how their knowledge can contribute to a positive birthing experience. Opportunities for doulas, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and other medical professionals to foster strong relationships and learn from one another help break down communication silos and barriers to care. 

Doulas are trained birthing professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before, during, and after birth. They also advocate on behalf of their patients by ensuring providers understand patients’ wishes.

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Demonstrated through their quality improvement efforts, such as implementing evidence-based patient safety bundles, Connecticut hospitals and healthcare providers are committed to addressing the disparities that put Black women at higher risk of perinatal complications. Doula collaboration is a systemic intervention to reduce maternal health inequities and build a community of practice that acknowledges the deep-rooted impact of racism and bias in the delivery of care.

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Partnership

In 2023, Connecticut hospitals and health systems adopted a Statewide Strategy To Improve Maternal Health. To drive progress, CHA sought and was awarded a grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF) Fund For Women & Girls’ Black Maternal Health Initiative (BMHI) to develop a hospital-based doula-clinician educational program and identify opportunities for increased doula-clinician collaboration. CHA has engaged perinatal care providers and doulas across the state to co-create a curriculum and resource toolkit to be implemented in birthing hospitals in Fairfield County. CHA will also evaluate the impact of the project to inform future efforts, including potential statewide deployment.