Rhonda Lanning DNP, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC, RN from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, presented to our PQCNC teams on their success of running a volunteer doula program in October, 2019. This month, she published an evaluation of this volunteer program in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. The article outlines the program and shares how the demand for doulas increased exponentially over a 6-year time-frame. From 2012 to 2018, there was a 315% increase in the number of women supported in an L&D room. The published evaluation of the program underscored the rapid growth of the project, high levels of patient satisfaction with doula care, and nurses noted positive experiences partnering with volunteer doulas. Other PQCNC teams in the state have already begun planning their own volunteer doula program as a result of Rhonda sharing her knowledge and resources aimed at reducing primary cesareans.
