A Voice That is Bold: Doula Training Focused on Care of Birthing Persons Who Are Incarcerated

Recent trends reveal an exponential increase in the number of women behind bars and especially poor conditions endured by incarcerated pregnant women. Reports suggest that, despite changes in legislation, disparities in health care continue. This disenfranchised population has been subjected to shackling, solitary confinement, infant separation, prohibition of visitors for support, and other harmful practices during hospital admission for childbirth. Public records reveal that in 2018, 256 pregnant women were incarcerated in the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women (NCCIW), many of whom gave birth at UNC Medical Center. Birth Partners volunteer doula service provides support to these patients during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. The 2019 BSN honors project “A Hand to Hold”, served as the foundation for this project. Throughout the academic year, interviews of doulas who have cared for incarcerated clients were conducted, transcribed and analyzed. Qualitative data from interviews, a literature review and personal experiences were integrated to inform an educational workshop. The goal of the project continuation was to increase awareness of current conditions faced by incarcerated persons, address recurring barriers to Birth Partner services, and devise an initiative to further empower doulas as advocates. The newly created doula training, Voice that is Bold, prepared doulas for the unique experience of providing care to incarcerated clients during labor and birth. A pre- and post-survey was designed to evaluate the session. Results from attendees revealed that 100% of doulas felt more prepared to care for incarcerated women in labor after the workshop.Bachelor of Scienc