05/28/2026
A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.
Key Maternal Outcomes:
More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.
Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.
Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes
Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.
Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.
In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).
Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/
