BACKGROUND:
Evidence shows that women benefit from continuous, one-to-one support during labour and birth, improving outcomes and satisfaction (Bohren et al., 2017). In Estonia, maternity care is structured around hospital-based midwifery, where continuous support from is not guaranteed unless the woman hires a individual midwife or a doula. Doulas provide emotional, informational, and psychosocial support, but their role is not regulated within the Estonian healthcare system, which limits their integration and restricts access to hospital births.

OBJECTIVES:
This research aimed to explore the experiences, roles, and mutual expectations of doulas and midwives in Estonia to understand their cooperation.

METHODS:
A qualitative research was conducted in 2022. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with midwives who worked in L&D (n=6) and doulas (n=6) using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts to identify recurring themes and perceptions.

RESULTS:
Both doulas and midwives highlighted the importance of respectful, continuous care that extends beyond physical monitoring to psychosocial and emotional support. Midwives acknowledged the benefits of doulas in enhancing women’s birth experiences but noted concerns about unclear competencies and lack of regulation. Doulas reported varied collaboration with midwives, particularly in private care settings. Hospital policies and inconsistent doula training create barriers to integrating doulas into maternity care. Both groups emphasised that women often seek more personal and continuous support than the current system provides.

CONCLUSIONS:
Women in Estonia need continuous, respectful care, but the current maternity care model does not support this need unless additional services are privately hired. Doulas and midwives can provide complementary care, but national policies must clarify doulas roles and ensure equitable access to continuous support.

KEY MESSAGE:
Women need more than medical care — they need constant presence throughout childbirth. Midwives and doulas can work together to meet this need, but system-level and legislative changes are required to ensure role clarity and quality. Poster session 2 (Group A)