The Maternal Child Health (MCH) leaders and frontline teams welcomed community doulas to “Doula Bridges”, an event designed to listen, learn, and strengthen partnerships. This dialogue marks the beginning of a movement to ensure every patient feels fully supported throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

Research shows that doula support improves outcomes for all birthing people, particularly for Black women, who have historically been overlooked in birthing preference discussions. Continuous labor support from a doula is proven to reduce the likelihood of a first-time C-section — helping KP Santa Rosa meet the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative benchmark of keeping primary C-section rates below 23.6%. Doulas also provide extended support, sometimes weeks or months ahead of delivery, building trust that enhances the clinical care experience on the day of birth.

“It was so significant to get all doula voices in one room. We are serving the same community as other hospitals in the area,” said Shawn Quinlan, MD, Medical Director of Maternal Child Health.

Integrating doulas into care teams requires open communication and shared understanding to minimize impacts on patients. This convening represents the first of many steps in welcoming and listening to doula voices to better serve patients.

“Our vision is that every patient has access to a doula, not just during delivery, but throughout prenatal and postpartum care,” said Sarah Davis, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, Maternal Child Health Nurse Manager. “In an ideal world, we see every patient come in with a doula. The bridge has two sides to it — we don’t build a bridge in a day.”

Doula Bridges demonstrates KP Santa Rosa’s commitment to collaboration, equity, and ensuring that all patients receive the support they need for a positive birthing experience.