Community-Partnered Doula Support for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Families
Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if pairing families who have a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a community doula improves stress. The main questions it aims to answer are: Researchers will compare stress levels among families with a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit who are paired with a community doula compared to those who receive standard care. Participants will: Complete baseline surveys and physical assessments (blood pressure and blood sample collection) and again after six weeks If they are randomized to receive doula support, they will meet with the doula weekly to receive additional parental support for six weeks
Description
One in eight babies are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Rhode Island due to pregnancy or neonatal complications. Approximately half of NICU parents experience clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety and trauma. Structural and institutional barriers and unmet health-related social needs limit healthcare access, adversely impacting outcomes in NICU families. Innovative solutions to support NICU families are urgently needed. Doula care is recommended by The Department of Health and Human Services to provide emotional, physical, and informational support and adv…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * baby admitted to NICU at Women and Infants Hospital * anticipated NICU stay greater than or equal to 2 weeks * English or Spanish speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Infant anticipated stay \< 2 weeks
Interventions
- BehavioralEnhanced doula support
The doula intervention will be delivered by a dedicated postpartum NICU doula. The postpartum doula will provide one-on-one support at least weekly for a period of six weeks, to intensively engage and support participants, reinforce health behavior education, and screen for and help families to access quality medical care, mental health and social needs support.
Location
- Women and Infants HospitalProvidence, Rhode Island