6 Ways that Doulas Can Support Maternal Mental Health
Did you know that doulas can help improve maternal mental health outcomes?
Doulas are non-medical, perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) support professionals who fulfill a variety of responsibilities for the birthing person and their family.
To raise awareness about doulas and how they can support maternal mental health, the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance and DONA International are partnering to bring you this article.
#1 Doulas Develop Trusting Relationships
Doulas develop a trusting relationship with the birthing person based on open communication and active listening. For a birthing person, a doula may be one of the few people they feel safe reaching out to for support.
#2 Doulas Offer Emotional Support
Doulas are experts at meeting people right where they are. Whether it's holding space during labor, offering words of encouragement, or simply listening without judgment, doulas play a crucial role in validating and affirming the experiences of the birthing person.
#3 Doulas Provide Practical Support
Doulas are experts at filling the gaps. They can provide support such as assisting with household chores, helping to figure out how to prioritize the family’s needs, offering tips on how to get more sleep, helping to get everyone to their medical appointments on time, among other tasks.
#4 Doulas Educate about the Emotional Aspects of Pregnancy and Postpartum
Doulas normalize the emotional ups and downs of the perinatal transition by discussing it with the birthing person, their family, in addition to educating the general public. Doulas can also address misconceptions, fears, and myths about maternal mental health conditions for all types of parents, including mothers, fathers, adoptive parents, gestational carriers, bereaved families, those with NICU experience, and more.
#5 Doulas Screen for Maternal Mental Health Conditions
Doulas see the birthing person more frequently, for longer periods of time, and often in the home setting. By providing the birthing person with screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale, doulas can assist them with identifying their mental health situation, outlining next steps, and referring them to a clinician for treatment if necessary.
#6 Doulas Reduce Barriers to Care
As non-medical support professionals, doulas can offer the birthing person referrals to support groups, local resources, support services, and mental health clinicians, ensuring the birthing person knows their options for additional care. By building a referral network of local professionals, including mental health practitioners, a doula can reduce barriers to finding mental health care.
Learn More about Doulas and Maternal Mental Health:
How to become a doula + where to find a doula → dona.org
Maternal mental health conditions → mmhla.org
