Evidence & sources
Research Behind Doula Support
Nueva Vida Doula uses careful, evidence-informed language when describing the benefits of doula care. These sources support the general statements made on our website about continuous labor support, covered doula services, and pregnancy/postpartum support.
Continuous support during labor
A Cochrane review on continuous support for women during childbirth found that continuous labor support may improve several outcomes for mothers and babies, and no adverse outcomes were identified in the review.
- Source: Cochrane, “Continuous support for women during childbirth.”
- Used on our site to support careful statements about continuous labor support and improved birth experiences.
ACOG on one-to-one labor support
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discusses continuous one-to-one emotional support, including support from personnel such as doulas, as part of approaches to limit unnecessary intervention during labor and birth.
- Source: ACOG Committee Opinion, “Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth.”
- Used on our site to support careful language about partner support, labor support, and navigating birth options.
California Medi-Cal doula benefit
The California Department of Health Care Services states that doula services became a covered Medi-Cal benefit on January 1, 2023, and that services include personal support through pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.
- Source: California Department of Health Care Services, “Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit.”
- Used on our site to support general coverage education. Actual coverage depends on eligibility, plan details, and authorization requirements.
Covered visit structure for Medi-Cal members
DHCS describes covered doula services for Medi-Cal members, including an initial visit, additional prenatal/postpartum visits, labor and delivery support, and extended postpartum visits.
- Source: California Department of Health Care Services, “Doula Services for Medi-Cal Members.”
- Used on our site to explain why families should ask about eligibility and covered visit options.
Broader review of doula support
PCORI summarizes systematic-review evidence on doula support during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, including associations with increased satisfaction and several maternal-care outcomes.
- Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, “Impact of Doula Support During Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Beyond.”
- Used on our site for cautious, general education about doula support outcomes.
Postpartum care as an ongoing process
ACOG describes postpartum care as an ongoing process rather than a single one-time visit. This supports our careful language that postpartum planning should begin early and should include follow-up conversations about recovery, feeding, emotional wellbeing, support at home, and the transition into parenthood.
- Source: ACOG Committee Opinion, “Optimizing Postpartum Care.”
- Used on our postpartum planner to support the idea that care after birth should be included, named, and easier to talk through.
WHO recommendations on postnatal care
The World Health Organization emphasizes postnatal care for both the mother and newborn after birth. Its recommendations include attention to physical recovery, feeding, emotional wellbeing, newborn care, danger signs, and family support.
- Source: World Health Organization, “WHO Recommendations on Postnatal Care of the Mother and Newborn.”
- Used on our site to support postpartum planning as part of the care journey, not an afterthought.
Postpartum support and maternal health follow-up
CDC maternal mortality review data continues to point to the importance of prevention, follow-up, and connection to care during and after pregnancy. This supports cautious language about helping families notice concerns, ask questions, and stay connected to medical and support teams after birth.
- Source: CDC, “Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees, 2017-2019.”
- Used on our site to support the need for better postpartum follow-up and care coordination.
Postpartum care through the first year
AHRQ reviewed research on postpartum care up to one year after pregnancy. This supports our practical focus on support beyond the first few weeks, including recovery, feeding, emotional wellbeing, newborn care questions, and ongoing support needs.
- Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Postpartum Care up to 1 Year After Pregnancy.”
- Used on our postpartum planner to support careful language about planning for support through the first year postpartum.