ArticlePloS one2025
The role of doulas in abortion care in Canada: A qualitative study.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionEquitable and safe access to abortion is essential for reproductive autonomy. Despite decriminalization in 1988, barriers to accessing abortion in Canada persist, particularly for people in underserved groups. Doulas, working in a non-clinical and unregulated supportive role, may facilitate access to family planning services, but evidence about the scope, role, training, and efficacy of doulas in abortion care is lacking. The goal of this study was to understand the experience of abortion doulas in Canada with respect to their role and facilitators and challenges faced in practice.
methodFor this community-based, qualitative national study of abortion doula practice, we first created a national directory of all doulas in Canada in 2023 using publicly available online information. From this directory, we extracted contact information for doulas who indicated they provide abortion support and sent invitations for a one-time qualitative interview. Questions addressed current role and responsibilities, gaps in doula training and knowledge, and challenges and opportunities they perceived with respect to client support. We used reflexive thematic analysis to generate key themes. Our research team includes abortion doula experts.
resultsAmong 73 abortion doulas with public listings in Canada in 2023 to whom we sent invitations, 15 completed an interview. We developed six key themes: Inter and intra-systems navigation; After-care; In over their heads; Balancing act; Support for the supporter; and Beyond the individual. Abortion doulas navigate fragmented systems and support clients experiencing intersecting forms of oppression and exclusion. These complex logistics include locating care providers, securing transportation, and obtaining funds for clients' out-of-pocket costs. Doulas faced challenges acquiring adequate training, understanding local health systems, forging relationships and supporting clients facing structural barriers to care. Abortion doula work is facilitated by peer and organizational support, connections to clinics and providers, and comprehensive and contextually appropriate training.
conclusionsAbortion doulas express needs for comprehensive, evidence-based training, meaningful partnerships and sustainable remuneration. Future research should explore abortion provider and clinic staff perspectives with respect to the potential role of doulas in wrap-around client support services.
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