Evidence and guidelines for trauma-informed doula care

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Trauma and related health issues are prevalent during pregnancy.
• Limited evidence and guidance exist for doulas providing trauma-informed care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize evidence on trauma-informed doula care.
• To provide practical guidelines for doula practice in perinatal settings.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed and gray literature.
• Analyzed data on trauma in pregnancy, trauma-informed care approaches, and doula training.
• Focused on US-based care, with broader applicability.

Main Results:

• Trauma-informed doula care requires recognizing trauma's impact and symptoms.
• Key principles include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural considerations.
• Care models include universal, targeted, and referral-based approaches.

Conclusions:

• Doulas must understand trauma, identify signs, respond sensitively, and prevent re-traumatization.
• Implementing trauma-informed care enhances maternal safety and well-being.
• Guidelines support integrating trauma-informed principles into all doula services.