Table 1.
Demographic Characteristics of Postpartum Doulas (N = 4).*
| Demographic characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age, end of study: yr median (range) | 42.50 (31–53) |
| Race: | |
| African-American | 2 |
| Caucasian | 2 |
| Biological mother: yes | 4 |
| Education: | |
| Some college | 3 |
| College graduate | 1 |
| Married: yes | |
| At beginning of study | 3 |
| At end of study | 4 |
| Estimated household income: | |
| $40,000 – $59,999 | 3 |
| ≥$60,000 | 1 |
| Certified as birth doula, beginning of study: | |
| Yes, less than 1 year | 3 |
| Not certified† | 1 |
| Experience as birth doula, beginning of study: | |
| months median (range) | 20.00 (8 – 36) |
| Certified as postpartum doula | |
| at beginning of study | 0 |
| by end of study | 1 |
| Experience as postpartum doula, end of study: | |
| 30 months†† | 4 |
| Postpartum doula work status: | |
| Employed part-time as doula, had other employment | 1 |
| Employed full-time as doula, only source of income | 2 |
| Volunteer doula only, had other full-time employment | 1 |
*
Data are reported as frequency unless otherwise noted.
†
This doula received birth doula certification within 1 month of study start-up.
††
All 4 doulas received DONA postpartum training as part of study, before data collection began. One doula provided care to new mothers in the community for 13 years prior to study.