Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41204054›Full record

ArticleBirth (Berkeley, Calif.)2026

Barriers and Bridges: Black Doulas' Experiences in Healthcare Setting.

Sydnie Carraher, Kara Foster, Izziah Thabath, Ann Anderson-Berry, Shannon Maloney

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sydnie CarraherUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 981204 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Kara FosterUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 981204 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Izziah ThabathUniversity of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor St., Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ann Anderson-BerryUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 981204 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Shannon MaloneyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Maurer College of Public Health, 984355 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6357-5686

Funding

CDC HHS CDC-RFA-DP22-2207
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBlack birthing people experience disproportionately high rates of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Doula support is associated with improved birth outcomes and can help reduce racial disparities, yet culturally congruent doulas face hurdles practicing in the healthcare setting. This quality improvement project aimed to understand the experiences of Black doulas in Nebraska to enhance integration into healthcare systems.

methodsThree group-based interviews were conducted as part of a quality improvement project in August 2023 with six Black doulas practicing in Nebraska. Participants were recruited through community organizations and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews explored doula practices, barriers, motivations, and sources of support. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsThree main themes emerged: (1) Barriers inhibiting Black doulas in the healthcare setting, (2) Facilitators of a doula-friendly clinical environment, and (3) Coping strategies. Doulas described facing resistance, stereotypes, and a lack of understanding about their role from some healthcare staff, contrasted with client advocacy. Self-care strategies and peer support networks were critical for sustainable practice.

conclusionDespite systemic barriers, Black doulas play a vital role in supporting Black families and addressing inequities. Recommendations include implementing doula-friendly policies, addressing bias, fostering an inclusive environment in healthcare facilities, and enhancing the integration of culturally concordant doula support to improve outcomes for Black birthing people.

Indexed as

Black or African AmericanDoulasAdultFemaleHealthcare DisparitiesHumansInterviews as TopicMaleNebraskaPregnancyQualitative ResearchQuality ImprovementWhiteblack doulaslived experiencequality improvementracial disparitiessystemic barriers

Identifiers

PMID41204054
PMCPMC13156655

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.