Bridging Community Care and Clinical Excellence: Launching the Hospital Doula Integration Framework Resource
Planning for pregnancy and birth is one of the most transformational times in a family’s life. Every birthing individual deserves to feel supported, informed, and in control of their care journey. Continuous labor support provided by doulas is proven to decrease cesarean births, lower medical intervention rates, shorten labor duration, and improve emotional well-being.
With Colorado’s Health First Colorado (Medicaid) doula benefit now active and updated clinical guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), healthcare systems have a timely opportunity to formalize collaborative partnerships with doulas.
To guide healthcare leaders and care teams through this transition, the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC) has released Integrating Doulas into Clinical Care Settings: A Hospital-Focused Framework.
What’s Inside the Framework?
Developed by Lead Author Sydney Comstock, MPH, with contributions from statewide perinatal leaders, interviewees, and community doulas, this guide provides practical approaches to hospital integration:
Focus Area
Key Highlights & Framework Tools
Evidence & Scope
Defines the non-clinical, supportive scope of doula care alongside clinical roles.
SOAR Alignment
Connects doula care to primary cesarean reduction and vaginal birth support.
Workflow Options
Compares private, volunteer, hospital-employed, and contracted doula models.
Implementation Tools
Features a Decision Tree, Doula Readiness Checklist, and sample hospital policies.
Birth Equity
Strategies for culturally responsive care to dismantle structural maternal health disparities.
Supporting Clinical Teams and Birthing Families
Doulas do not replace clinical care providers—they complement midwives, nurses, and physicians by offering continuous physical, emotional, and informational support. When clinical teams and doulas work together with clear roles and open communication, patient satisfaction increases, communication improves, and clinical safety is reinforced.
“When we center birthing people and their babies in every interaction and every system of care, we create the conditions for better experiences and healthier outcomes for families across Colorado.”
— Annette Dayley, MPS, RN, Reproductive Health Implementation Specialist
How to Get Started
Hospitals and care providers can download the full guide to assess unit readiness, review sample hospital policies, and engage L&D staff in interdisciplinary collaboration.
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