Additionally, doula support has been linked to fewer preterm births, with an adjusted risk difference of -3.8 per 100 deliveries, and a reduction of 3-4 preterm births per 100 deliveries.

However, the study does have limitations, such as reliance on electronic health records that may not capture essential social determinants of health and potential confounding effects from promoting doula services to higher-risk patients.

Neonatal outcomes evaluated included admissions to neonatal intensive care units, breastfeeding rates, and occurrences of preterm delivery, further emphasizing the impact of doula care.

A recent study led by Lara S. Lemon from Magee-Womens Hospital, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, highlights the significant benefits of doula care in maternal health.

These benefits were observed across different races and insurance statuses, indicating the broad effectiveness of doula care in maternal health.

Maternal outcomes assessed in the study included cesarean delivery rates, vaginal birth after cesarean, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and postpartum emergency department visits.

The research analyzed a total of 17,831 deliveries between January 2021 and December 2022, comparing outcomes for 486 patients who received doula support to 17,345 who did not.

Findings indicate that doula care is associated with an increase of 15-34 additional vaginal births after cesarean per 100 deliveries, along with a 20% improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Specifically, exclusive breastfeeding rates were found to be 22% higher among patients with doula support, demonstrating a strong positive impact on infant nutrition.

The study's findings underscore the consistent benefits of doula support across various patient demographics, reinforcing its importance in maternal care.

Patients who received doula support also experienced significantly higher rates of vaginal births after cesarean, with an adjusted risk difference of 15.6, and attended more postpartum office visits, with an adjusted risk difference of 5.4.