Enhancing Perinatal Care Support to Improve Maternal Mortality Disparities – Well-Mama Community Doula Navigator Intervention

Enhancing Doula Care Support for BIPOC birthing persons Within healthcare, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience significant maternal health disparities in the United States, including rising rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The Well-Mama research study involves integrating Community Doula Navigators (CDN) into perinatal care through telehealth check-ins, support groups, and labor support. The study prioritizes 5 major areas when engaging with the birthing persons including mental health, cardiovascular health, maternal safety, substance and alcohol usage, and social support. This project comprises studying and analyzing non-identified data to investigate potential correlations between CDN support, Mode of Delivery, Labor Type (In- Person vs. Virtual), Presence of Support, and much more. We also explore study adherence of bi-weekly CDN check-ins and perinatal support group attendance. The data is analyzed using quantitative methods, enhancing an understanding of how the proportion of perinatal care received can affect maternal health outcomes. Participant data is still being collected so no causality can be drawn from this analysis.