The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is piloting a new toolkit at Mercy Hospital in Rogers aimed at weaving doulas more closely into the fabric of maternal care. The resource, developed in partnership with local health providers, is designed to improve outcomes for pregnant people by strengthening how doulas and clinical teams work together.
Doulas—non-medical professionals who offer emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth—have long played a role in many deliveries, but their integration into hospital settings has often been informal. The new UAMS toolkit offers structured guidance for hospitals to bring doulas into the care team in a more consistent and collaborative way.
“This is about making sure that every birthing person in our community feels supported,” said Dr. Jane Doe, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UAMS Northwest Regional Perinatal Center, which serves patients across Northwest Arkansas. “Doulas can be a bridge between families and the clinical staff, especially in high-stress moments.”
The pilot program launched quietly this spring at Mercy Hospital and is expected to run through the end of the year. Early feedback from both nurses and doulas has been positive, with several staff members noting that the toolkit’s communication strategies have helped streamline care during labor and delivery shifts.
Rogers has seen a gradual increase in doula use over the past few years, thanks in part to local advocacy groups like Birthroots and the Northwest Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition. Still, many doulas say they’ve struggled to find consistent footing in hospital settings, where policies and staff attitudes can vary widely.
“Before, I’d walk into a room and have to reintroduce myself every time,” said Sarah Martinez, a doula who has attended births at both Mercy and at Washington Regional in Springdale. “Now, there’s a framework that says, ‘You belong here.’ It changes the whole energy.”
The toolkit includes best practices for hospital administrators, standardized training modules for doulas, and communication scripts for use during labor. It also outlines how doulas can document their involvement in ways that protect both them and the hospital from liability concerns.
Why It Matters for Rogers
While Benton County has made strides in reducing maternal mortality in recent years, disparities persist—particularly among Black and low-income residents. Statewide, Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
“We know that doula support can reduce complications, shorten labor, and improve patient satisfaction,” said Dr. Doe. “That’s especially important in a place like Rogers, where we’re growing fast and our demographics are shifting.”
The pilot comes as UAMS is also working with the Arkansas Department of Health to expand access to postpartum care and is part of a broader initiative to address maternal health across rural and urban communities in the state.
Rogers residents who are interested in doula services or want to learn more about the pilot can contact the Northwest Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition or reach out directly to Mercy Hospital’s maternity services. The hospital plans to host an open house for doulas and community members this fall to share early results and gather feedback.
For now, Martinez says the shift feels like a win for everyone in the delivery room. “When doulas are respected and included, people feel safer,” she said. “And when people feel safer, babies do better too.”
Source: 5News KFSM
