Birth Companions: Teaching Nursing Students to Become Doulas

J Perinat Educ. 2022 Jan 1;31(1):14-20. doi: 10.1891/J-PE-D-20-00064.

Abstract

The benefits of continuous labor support have been repeatedly discussed in the literature and supported by professional obstetric organizations. At the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, students are offered the unique opportunity to learn how to be a doula. The Birth Companions program provides nursing students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to provide continuous labor support to women of Baltimore and surrounding areas. This faculty-led, student-run program also supports student engagement in service learning, and practice regarding leadership skills and interprofessional collaboration as a student nurse.

Keywords: birth companion; doula; labor support; student nurse.