Doulas and Nurses Partner to Support Skin-to-Skin Care in the Operating Room

Abstract

To implement an innovative, collaborative approach to support the increased initiation of skin-to-skin care (SSC) after cesarean birth in an academic health center. Volunteer doulas in a well-established, hospital-based program were trained to partner with nursing staff to provide care during scheduled cesarean births in the operating and recovery rooms. Data collected included rate and time of SSC and client and nurse satisfaction with doula care. Sixty-six women received doula-supported care in the operating room over a 12-week period. All medically stable couplets with complete data (n = 58) initiated SSC in the operating room. Forty-eight women completed feedback surveys. Scores indicated that women agreed or strongly agreed that the doula was an important part of the birth experience. Nursing staff who participated in doula care in the operating room (n = 20) completed a survey and indicated a high level of satisfaction with their experience. This program demonstrates that doulas can successfully partner with nursing staff to provide supportive care to patients during and immediately after cesarean birth. Doulas can be perceived as important members of the maternity care team by patients and nurses.