Prison Doula Programs
Ostara Initiative’s Prison Doula Programs
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The Minnesota Prison Doula Project offers comprehensive pregnancy support from trained doulas and group and individual education and support to justice-involved, pregnant people and parents. The goals are to nurture healthy parent-child relationships, increase parenting confidence and skills, reduce the intergenerational trauma of incarceration, and increase access to opportunities that build health, healing, and change.
Learn More | Minnesota Prison Doula Project
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In the Constitution of United States of America, the 8th Amendment states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” The goal of project EightA is to explore and create new patterns of thought, policy, and practice pertaining to justice-involved women and their children that are constitutionally-aligned and rooted in human rights-based standards. Several projects are incubated in eightA, including our collaboration with research partners, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Oregon Prison Birth Project, and the Wisconsin Prison Birth Project.
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The Oregon Prison Birth Project began with a commitment to providing compassionate care for incarcerated pregnant women. Inspired by similar programs and supported by the passage of Oregon House Bill 2535 in 2023, the Oregon Prison Birth Project now brings essential doula services to prisons, ensuring dignity and support during childbirth.
Follow @oregonprisonbirthproject on social media to learn more about our work, support our mission, and help amplify the voices of those we serve.
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Launched in 2025, the Wisconsin Prison Birth Project (WPBP) of the Ostara Initiative supports pregnant and postpartum people in Wisconsin’s correctional system. Led by doulas and advocates with lived experience, the program offers prenatal education, birth and postpartum support, lactation assistance, and parenting groups. Rooted in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, the WPBP works to uphold dignity, improve health outcomes, and strengthen family bonds for incarcerated parents and their children.
Ancient history tells us that birth-givers have always been surrounded by supportive hands.
For half a century, formally trained doulas have provided continuous support for mothers and birthing people. In 26 randomized controlled trials, birth-givers and newborns with doulas were more likely to:
Have spontaneous, vaginal births
Require less pain medication
Have positive feelings about childbirth
Have shorter labors
Have higher APGAR scores
Have lower rates of C-section
KEY OUTCOMES OF OUR BIRTH DOULA PROJECT
Reduction in primary cesarean birth rate compared to state average
Prematurity rate <1⁄2 the state average
Increase in breastfeeding initiation rate compared to other vulnerable populations
Increased satisfaction with birth experience
Increased parenting confidence
Prison culture change
What is a Prison Birth Doula?
A prison birth doula is a trained support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational care to pregnant people who are incarcerated—before, during, and after childbirth.
Unlike medical staff, doulas do not perform clinical tasks. Instead, they focus on advocacy, comfort, and human connection during a deeply vulnerable time.
What Does a Prison Birth Doula Do?
Before Birth
Offers education about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery
Helps create a birth plan when possible
Provides emotional support and preparation for childbirth
During Labor and Delivery
Stays present during labor (when permitted by the facility)
Uses comfort techniques like breathing guidance, positioning, and reassurance
Advocates for the birthing person’s needs and preferences
Helps reduce fear, stress, and trauma
After Birth
Supports emotional recovery and processing
Provides education on postpartum healing
Offers guidance on lactation, bonding, and separation (when applicable)
Why This Support Matters
Pregnancy and childbirth can be challenging under any circumstances. For those who are incarcerated, the experience is often intensified by isolation, limited resources, and strict institutional policies.
A prison birth doula helps bridge that gap by ensuring that no one has to go through labor and delivery alone.
The Impact of Doula Support
Research shows that doula support can lead to:
Lower rates of medical interventions
Shorter labors
Improved birth outcomes
Reduced anxiety and trauma
In correctional settings, doulas also play a critical role in preserving dignity, autonomy, and compassion during childbirth.
Everyone deserves respectful, compassionate care during pregnancy and birth. Prison birth doulas help make that possible—offering presence, advocacy, and support where it’s needed most.
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Deepen your understanding of pregnancy and birth in prison. Explore data, stories, and studies that illuminate the realities of incarceration and the possibilities for reform.
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