Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Shlafer, Rebecca J.
• Hellerstedt, Wendy L.
• Secor‐Turner, Molly
• Gerrity, Erica
• Baker, Rae

Titel

Doulas’ Perspectives about Providing Support to Incarcerated Women: A Feasibility Study

Ist Teil von

• Public health Nursing, 2015-07, Vol.32 (4), p.316-326

Ort / Verlag

United States: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2015

Quelle

Access via Wiley Online Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Objective To document the logistical feasibility of a doula program for pregnant incarcerated women and to assess doulas' perceptions of their achievements. Design and Sample Six doulas provided written case notes (“birth stories”) about their experiences with 18 pregnant women in one Midwestern state prison. Measures The birth stories were analyzed by two coders to identify major themes related to doulas' perceptions about providing support to incarcerated women. Analyses involved coder consensus about major themes and doula affirmation of findings. Results All doulas reported that they met key objectives for a successful relationship with each of their clients. Key themes were their ability to empower clients, establish a trusting relationship, normalize the delivery, and support women as they were separated from their newborns. Conclusions The intervention was logistically feasible, suggesting that doulas can adapt their practice for incarcerated women. Doulas may need specific training to prepare themselves for institutional restrictions that may conflict with the traditional roles of doula care. It may be important for doulas to understand the level of personal and professional resources they may have to expend to support incarcerated women if they are separated from their infants soon after delivery.