Doula Support Program: Perspectives of doulas working with women and birthing people affected by Substance Use Disorder

The Doula Support Program (DSP), based within the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, offers support throughout pregnancy, birth and up to 12 months postpartum with a focus on women and birthing people with a history of or current substance use disorder/opioid use disorder. Philadelphia unfortunately is one of several epicenters of the opioid epidemic. The DSP was developed in response to the opioid epidemic, especially increases in maternal opioid use and deaths.
This poster provides an overview of the DSP and will highlight doulas’ experiences, and the challenges they face working with this population of birthing people, within the maternal health landscape. Additionally, it will focus on how the DSP supports doulas to overcome and manage some of these challenges. Finally, it will highlight the way the program has strived to improve health equity and access to quality care amongst an often-marginalized population of birthing people.