The Doula Benefit: Better Birth Outcomes for Mothers with Substance Use Disorder
Start Date
April 2020
End Date
April 2020
Major Field of Study
Nursing
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Patricia Harris, PhD, RN, CNS
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
The opioid epidemic has created difficulties in providing quality care to maternity patients. Within the last decade there has been a tremendous increase in pregnant patients who are simultaneously receiving treatment for a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse has been linked to negative birth and neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight, emergency cesarean section, and preterm delivery. Doulas, or birth assistants, have been trained to assist patients during the pre, intra, and postnatal periods.
A literature review conducted of this issue has shown that birth and neonatal outcomes are improved when doula services are utilized. Further research must be conducted to determine whether pregnant patients undergoing substance abuse treatment might benefit from doula services. Data comparison should be conducted for both doula-assisted births as well as births that did not receive this care. This research proposal investigates: As maternity patients who are undergoing substance abuse treatment have a high rate of negative birth outcomes, would doulas be able to improve birth outcomes in this population?
The Doula Benefit: Better Birth Outcomes for Mothers with Substance Use Disorder
The opioid epidemic has created difficulties in providing quality care to maternity patients. Within the last decade there has been a tremendous increase in pregnant patients who are simultaneously receiving treatment for a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse has been linked to negative birth and neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight, emergency cesarean section, and preterm delivery. Doulas, or birth assistants, have been trained to assist patients during the pre, intra, and postnatal periods.
A literature review conducted of this issue has shown that birth and neonatal outcomes are improved when doula services are utilized. Further research must be conducted to determine whether pregnant patients undergoing substance abuse treatment might benefit from doula services. Data comparison should be conducted for both doula-assisted births as well as births that did not receive this care. This research proposal investigates: As maternity patients who are undergoing substance abuse treatment have a high rate of negative birth outcomes, would doulas be able to improve birth outcomes in this population?
Comments
This presentation was accepted for the Scholarly and Creative Works Conference at Dominican University of California. The Conference was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic