RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07217561

Testing "Doula Link", a Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Perinatal Mental Health

Doula Link for Perinatal Mental Health - Trial


Sponsor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Enrollment

90 participants

Start Date

Oct 21, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

Doulas are trained individuals who offer informational, emotional, and physical support to their pregnant, birthing, and postpartum clients. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new intervention (called "Doula Link") is feasible to implement and acceptable to both doulas and their clients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is Doula Link feasible to implement and acceptable to doulas and their clients? * What are the preliminary differences in depression and anxiety between individuals working with doulas who received Doula Link compared to those who did not receive Doula Link? Researchers will compare "Doula Link" to usual doula practice to see if Doula Link is feasible and has potential to improve mental health outcomes in postpartum individuals. Doulas will be randomly assigned to either receive "Doula Link" or continue with their practice as usual. Participating doulas assigned to Doula Link will receive training mental health and implementing an intervention called "Our Babies and Us"; receive access to a toolkit; receive access to perinatal psychiatrists and referral specialists for consultations; receive access to a support group All participating doulas will be invited to complete surveys about their experience with Doula Link (if assigned to that group) and their experience providing care for their clients. All participating clients (pregnant and postpartum individuals) will be invited to complete surveys about their experiences with their doulas, their own mental health, and their experiences with the health system.


Eligibility

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a program called "Doula Link" to see whether connecting pregnant women and new mothers with trained birth doulas improves mental health during pregnancy and after birth. The study is focused on people in Massachusetts. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a doula currently working with clients in Massachusetts who plan to serve at least 3 more prenatal or postpartum clients in the next 6 months - OR you are pregnant or up to 12 weeks postpartum, live in Massachusetts, plan to give birth there, and are being supported by one of the study's participating doulas - You are fluent in English or Spanish **You may NOT be eligible if...** - As a doula: you participated in developing this intervention, or you are not available for in-person training - As a client: you are more than 12 weeks postpartum, or you are not working with one of the 30 enrolled study doulas Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALDoula Link

1\) a doula-specific mental health toolkit; 2) training to implement an evidence-based, stress-reduction program called Our Babies and Us; 3) training for, and access to expert consultations with perinatal psychiatric specialists through MCPAP for Moms; 4) training on perinatal mental health; 5) access to doula support groups


Locations(1)

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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NCT07217561


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