Pregnancy and the birth of a child are two of the most precious times in life. One resource for expectant mothers and fathers is a doula: a trained caregiver and labor companion who assists in prenatal to postpartum care. Christina Ryder, instructor of sociology at Missouri State University and director of the undergraduate Sociology Research Assistant program (in the CSSPPR), and Dr. Lisa Hall, assistant professor of sociology, recently worked with the Doula Foundation on a research project to determine satisfaction with the foundation’s services. The study was funded in part by a $3,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health.

For more information on the Doula Foundation, visit doulafoundation.org.