Evidence and guidelines for trauma-informed doula care

Although trauma and trauma-related health conditions are increasingly common among childbearing people (Sperlich et al., 2017; Vignato et al., 2017), there is a dearth of published evidence and guidance on trauma-informed doula care. Trauma refers to an event(s) or circumstances that are experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that have lasting adverse effects on wellbeing (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2014)). This can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and negative pregnancy-related outcomes such as substance use, prematurity, low birth weight, postpartum depression, difficulty bonding with the baby, children with PTSD, or even maternal and infant death (Sperlich et al., 2017; Kilpatrick 2017; Kendig et al., 2017).

Exploring the validity of allostatic load in pregnant women

The theory of allostatic load has gained momentum in perinatal research to understand the biological pathways of the impact of maternal chronic stress on adverse perinatal outcomes. However, due to physiological changes of pregnancy, including large variations across gestation, the extent to which allostatic load measured in pregnancy is valid has not been queried in depth.

Breastfeeding support in low and middle-income countries: Secondary analysis of national survey data

Early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality. Breastfeeding support interventions such as counselling may improve adherence to recommended practices. However, it is not known if these interventions work at the population level.