Can Doulas Help Prevent Postpartum Depression?

Bringing a baby into the world should be a time of joy, but up to 17% of women without a history of depression experience postpartum depression. Could doulas be a solution? A University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO researcher) is putting that idea to the test.

➡️ What’s new: Kailey Snyder, Ph.D., assistant professor in UNO’s School of Health and Kinesiology, has secured a grant (NIH Award No. U54GM115458) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the feasibility of doulas delivering the evidence based ROSE (Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for Mothers of Newborns) program.

💡 Why it matters:

• The ROSE program has been shown to cut postpartum depression rates in half, yet access remains limited, especially for the 1 in 4 low-income women who experience postpartum depression.

  Despite the program’s effectiveness, there is little research on the feasibility of doula’s delivering the ROSE program.

• Snyder’s study will explore whether doulas can bridge the gap and expand mental health support to those who need it most.

🔎 Zoom in:

• Doulas as mental health allies: While doulas traditionally provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy and childbirth, this study will evaluate whether they can also facilitate structured programs aimed at promoting maternal well-being and reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

• Local impact: In partnership with the Omaha Better Birth Project and A Mother’s Love, 11 Omaha-based doulas were trained in August 2024, and several are now implementing the ROSE program with expectant parents over an eight-week period.

🎤 What they’re saying: “Doulas are uniquely positioned to provide mental health support, particularly in communities with limited access to traditional care. This study is about expanding options and ensuring that every mother has the support she needs during the critical postpartum period,” Snyder said.

🌎 The big picture: Snyder's research aligns with UNO’s mission to drive impactful, community-engaged research that improves public health outcomes. It also underscores the university’s commitment to advancing social and economic mobility through innovative, evidence-based solutions.

⚡ What’s next: The study is set to conclude this summer, with findings expected to shape future efforts to integrate doulas into maternal mental health at a larger scale.