We are going in the wrong direction—that is, in terms of maternal mortality rates, as the 2023 numbers showed a dire trend. Maternal deaths in the US have more than doubled over the past twenty years, with some specific states and tribes affected more than others. This is not the type of chart we want to top, yet we are the leaders in maternal deaths during and after childbirth in developed countries. So health professionals and advocates are looking for both the root causes and the answers to save the mothers and babies of the future.
A recent study by Maven Clinic showed that virtual doulas have some promise in this struggle. They found that they reduced the rate of C-sections by 20%, and NICU visits by 28%, as well as a 31% reduction in unnecessary ER visits.
Melissa Dennis, MD, OB-GYN with Partum Health, says working with a doula shouldn’t be limited to the privileged few. “As healthcare deserts become more common, virtual doula care makes working with a birth doula more accessible to a larger population,” she says. The goal of working with a doula is for patients to feel more educated about what’s to come and therefore feel empowered to communicate questions and concerns with their care team, she adds. “Doulas also provide tools to safely help patients achieve their own birth goals.”
However, there are some barriers to ensuring that all doulas are properly trained and follow similar protocols across companies and geographic locations. “Because virtual doula care is new, there is not yet a standard practice that all doulas follow,” adds Dr. Dennis.
Here’s what to expect from a virtual doula: “During pregnancy, a virtual doula can have prenatal sessions with a family via phone, Zoom, or FaceTime, where the family can discuss their birth goals and concerns and to provide her with an education,” he says. “Birth preferences can be reviewed and brochures can be shared online. Support provided by a virtual doula during labor can consist of text messages, phone calls, video chats, video recordings and referrals to previously shared educational materials.’
The idea that these doulas just a text away can reduce actual maternal and newborn outcomes has limited research, but the “benefits look promising,” adds Dr. Dennis. So far, he says research has shown the following benefits:
- Decreased cesarean delivery rate
- Reduced NICU admissions for the baby
- Increased rates of vaginal delivery after caesarean section (VBAC).
- Improved APGAR score for the baby
- Improved birth experience
Maven’s study showed that for those who met with the virtual doula more than once, the rate of C-section reduction was even greater – at least a 60% reduced chance, Maven References. “If this result can be replicated, it’s an incredible step forward for patients who historically have the worst obstetric outcomes,” he adds. In fact, 80% of maternal deaths are preventable with proper care Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
“I’m not surprised to see that working with a virtual birth doula has a positive impact. Much of working with a birth doula is focused on education, support, empowerment, and advocacy. People who work with a birth doula, whether in person or virtually, enter their birthing space with a skill set and comfort level superior to those who do not work with a birth doula,” concludes Dr. Dennis.
Are you ready to consider a virtual doula?
Here’s how to find what’s best for you, according to Dr. Dennis:
- “When looking for a virtual birth doula, it’s important to keep a few things in mind: How well do I connect with this person, do they understand my wishes, and does their offering provide the support I need?”
- “If birthing with a partner, these questions become ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ because the doula interacts with partners quite a bit, especially when the birthing partner is in labor and the support partner needs guidance on how to help. better.”
- “Because there is no standard for virtual doula care, it is important to clarify how many prenatal visits will occur, what they will consist of, what type of training will be provided for future reference, and what, if any, support will be provided during labor.”
There are many platforms that offer virtual doula services, such as MajorCarebut you can also ask local doulas, midwives, obstetricians and other moms for recommendations.
Dr. Dennis hopes that women who give birth in the future will see this not as a luxury, but as a standard experience.
“I believe that access to a doula, whether in person or virtually, should become the standard of care for birthing individuals. Virtual Doula Care is very exciting as it offers access to those who would otherwise have to. I see it as a critical tool for improving birth outcomes and equity.”
