The Impact of Virtual Doula Services on Birth Outcomes in Rural Communities

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Birth, Telehealth, Pregnancy, Maternal Health

In brief

This study will assess the impact of virtual doula care on birth and postnatal outcomes among rural mothers. The goal of virtual doula services is to improve access to care in underserved communities and decrease urban-rural differences in key maternal health outcomes including mode of birth (cesarean vs vaginal) and birth satisfaction. By implementing a digital randomized controlled trial, the study team will efficiently recruit a national sample of rural pregnant women to provide evidence of the effectiveness of virtual doula care, the appropriateness of virtual visits for different care and support needs, and the role of virtual care in improving maternal health.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07293741

Run by

RAND

People needed

614

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2029-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-03

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 45. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-45 years of age
• pregnant (second or early third trimester) with their first child
• reside in a rural zip codes in the U.S.

You may not qualify if…

• non-singleton pregnancy
• police custody or incarceration
• infant to be separated from mother (e.g., placed for adoption, protective custody)
• working with a doula prior to enrollment.

Where it is running

• RAND — Arlington, Virginia, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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