PURPOSE:
This presentation examines the collaboration between midwives and doulas as a strategy to implement the World Health Organization’s 2025 Implementation Guidance on Transitioning to Midwifery Models of Care. Using the International Childbirth Initiative (ICI) framework—particularly steps 4 (continuous support), 5 (non-pharmacological comfort), 6 (evidence-based practices), and 11 (continuum of collaborative care)—we explore how this model addresses the global mandate for respectful, person-centered perinatal care with continuous support

DISCUSSION:
Midwives offer clinical expertise, while doulas provide non medical continuous emotional and physical support. Together, they form a care team that supports physiologic birth, reduces stress, and improves the overall perinatal care experience. Clear roles, mutual respect, and effective communication are key to successful collaboration. In both high-resource and low-resource settings, this partnership can enhance system capacity, reduce provider burnout, and ensure respectful care.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
A growing body of research affirms the benefits of midwife-doula collaboration. Falconi et al. (2022) found doula care was associated with significantly lower odds of cesarean delivery (OR: 0.471) and postpartum depression/anxiety (OR: 0.425). Lemon et al. (2025) further demonstrated improvements in maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nakphong et al. (2023) emphasized that women value continuous support and are more satisfied when companions are integrated into facility care. Cochrane reviews and ACOG endorse continuous labor support from trained doulas, while March of Dimes and U.S. policymakers advocate for doula access and insurance reimbursement.

KEY MESSAGE:
Integrating doulas within midwifery-led models strengthens the delivery of safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care. This collaboration improves maternal outcomes, reduces unnecessary interventions, and supports emotional well-being. Becoming a doula is often a pathway to midwifery, and many doulas are strong advocates for the expansion and support of midwifery care worldwide. To ensure effective collaboration, teamwork and communication are essential, along with clear scope of practice, and adherence to a code of ethics for trained doulas. Poster session 2 (Group A)