If Maternal Mortality and Morbidity are the Problem, Are Doulas the Solution?

There has been growing concern from the public and policymakers regarding unacceptably high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the U.S. and the wide Black/White disparities in these negative outcomes.  Doulas have been suggested as one of the interventions that might lower both overall rates and disparities. This talk will initially focus on maternal mortality and severe morbidity in the U.S. to clarify misunderstandings concerning these outcomes and then examine some of the challenges and opportunities faced in expanding doula services to address these problems.