Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have found that incorporating doulas and midwives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) significantly improves postpartum care for mothers. This study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM.
Mothers with premature or medically fragile newborns often focus on their child’s needs, resulting in delayed postpartum care. The research aimed to determine if integrating a doula and a midwife into the NICU could expedite essential postpartum medical services such as blood pressure checks, depression screening, and contraceptive counseling.
The study was conducted at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from November 2022 to November 2023. It evaluated a model known as PeliCaN (postpartum care in the NICU), which involves embedding doulas and certified nurse midwives directly in the NICU environment.
“Providing postpartum support for mothers is a powerful step we can take to reduce chronic health issues in America and support families,” said Heather H. Burris, MD, MPH, lead author and an attending neonatologist at CHOP. She emphasized that this model could be crucial during a stressful period when maternal health complications are increasing.
The study involved 37 postpartum mothers whose babies were born before 34 weeks’ gestation. Half received usual care, while the other half received care through the PeliCaN model. Doulas and midwives offered clinical care and emotional support both in person and via telehealth during their baby’s hospital stay.
Results showed significant differences in follow-up care between groups. Mothers receiving PeliCaN model care had their first postpartum visit on average 11 days after discharge compared to 31 days for those receiving typical care. They were also more likely to receive all three essential components of postpartum care. Only one mother in the PeliCaN group missed a core component compared to six in the usual care group.
Future plans include releasing secondary findings on breastfeeding and emotional wellness and expanding research to see if the PeliCaN model can be implemented across multiple sites.
Funding for this study came from Optum and the March of Dimes Research Center to Advance Maternal Health Equity.
Burris et al., “Postpartum Care in the Neonatal intensive Care Unit (PeliCaN) – a Randomized Controlled Trial.” Am J Obstet Gynecol. Online June 16, 2025. DOI:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2025.101689
