Doula Integration: Increasing Collaboration to Transform Care

May 19, 2026
01:00pm - 02:00pm CST

Doulas have been shown to reduce cesarean rates, lower preterm birth risk, and improve postpartum outcomes yet integrating them into healthcare settings remains a challenge. In this session, certified doulas Averjill Lacey and Angela Daniel of A&A Doula Consulting draw on over 30 combined years of perinatal health experience to explore what meaningful doula integration looks like in practice.

As founders of the Doula Friendly Initiative, Averjill and Angela bring a unique lens to building systems that truly welcome doulas as part of the care team. Attendees will learn about the full scope of doula care, the latest research on clinical outcomes, and the real-world barriers facing patients, doulas, and healthcare facilities alike.

The session offers practical strategies for building collaborative, equitable care teams, including co-learning opportunities, policy development, and accountability frameworks, so that every birthing person has access to the support they deserve.