Creating a doula support program for pregnant teens using human-centered design

Pregnant teens experience suboptimal outcomes during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, which can adversely impact their health and that of their children.

Human-centered design (HCD) is an approach to solving complex problems that prioritizes the lived experiences of those who would be served by the new program or intervention. Recognizing the utility of HCD to the creation of successful health interventions, we describe the application of these methods to create a comprehensive doula program to support pregnant teens.

We followed the three phases of HCD. The inspiration phase allowed for the collection of information about the needs and preferences of teen parents. During the ideation phase these ideas were processed and developed into potential solutions. Lastly during the implementation phase we created a pilot doula support program, Beyond the Bump.

Beyond the Bump served 12 participants who had positive birth outcomes, including low rates of cesarean section deliveries and high rates of breastfeeding initiation. The doulas and program participants had positive impressions of the program.

Beyond the Bump may serve as a model for others aiming to incorporate lived experiences of patients into the design of new interventions.