Learning Objective #1: Describe major domains of support provided to mothers and infants in the postpartum period by a doula

Learning Objective #2: Describe maternal perceptions of postpartum doula support related to competence as a parent, ability to interpret infant cues, and the value of the care

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Historically, in nearly every culture, women have been supported by a “doula,” an experienced lay woman who provides support during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. Several studies and two meta-analyses have found continuous support during labor and delivery to be effective. Although no studies have examined doula support during the postpartum period, postpartum doula care is being provided throughout the United States and Canada. This presentation will describe preliminary results of an ethnographic study designed to document the content, process, and meaning of postpartum doula care from the perspective of women receiving care and doulas providing care. Data were obtained through observation of four doulas as they administered care during six postpartum home visits to 15 mother-infant dyads over a three-month period, and through in-depth interviews with the mothers and doulas following care. The observation and interview data are being coded for themes and patterns reflecting the content, meaning and importance of doula care. The entire set of home visit transcripts has been coded independently by two-member teams, with final coding decisions made through consensus. Inter-rater reliability has been high. Trustworthiness is being established through triangulation and member checks. Twelve categories of care have emerged: emotional support (mother or partner), physical comfort (mother), self-care (mother), information (modules, literature or videos), referral (for specific service w/ follow-up), partner/father support, support mother/father with sibling care (physical and developmental care/parenting), communication process, and household organization. Thematic analysis is in progress. This presentation will focus primarily on maternal perceptions of competence as a parent, ability to interpret and respond to their infants' cues, and perceptions of the value of postpartum doula care. Documenting the content and process of doula care from the perspective of both mothers and doulas will provide knowledge for standardizing and improving postpartum doula care.