Abstract
The focus of this rapid response brief is on the birth doula workforce, which is the dominant type of doula discussed in the literature (other types of doulas not covered in this brief serve their clients through abortion or infant loss, death, and adoption among many others). Based on literature from January 2021, we found that: • The literature that has been published from January 2021-August 2022 on the birth doula workforce is limited, with many more studies focused on the association between doula services and perinatal outcomes. • The literature focused on the doula workforce identifies challenges that individual doulas face as part of their work, particularly doulas who identify as Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex or Asexual (LGBTQIA). Until recently, a majority of those served by birth doulas, and doulas themselves, identified as White and cis-gendered. A growing number of doulas identifying as community-based doulas – who identify with and are often from the communities they serve – are working to expand access to services for underserved communities and are increasing racial and ethnic diversity within the doula field. • Challenges experienced by the doula workforce include witnessing and/or experiencing discrimination while working with their clients in a variety of healthcare settings, struggling with ineffective or inadequate payment models, meeting resistance when collaborating with other perinatal providers, feeling alienated from mainstream doula groups, and experiencing burnout.
