Community Based Doulas for Migrant Women in Labour and Birth in Sweden - a Randomised Controlled Trial

CBDs will be recruited, trained and employed by non-profit organization MIRA. Women allocated to receive CBD support will be contacted by an either a Somali, Arabic-, Russian- or Tigrinya-speaking CBD as appropriate, and arrangements made for them to meet twice prior to the birth to get to know each other and discuss the woman's wishes regarding support in labour and what the CBD can offer. Each woman will then contact her CBD when she goes into labour and the CBD will attend hospital with her and stay with her throughout her labour and birth, in addition to any other support people she may have, such as her partner.

"Standard labour support by health care providers only. Women allocated to the comparison arm of the trial will receive standard intrapartum care as provided at their chosen hospital of birth. That is emotional, information and instrumental support from a helping nurse or a midwife or in some cases a doctor. The support includes caring actions, such as comforting, massage, information and presence.~Note: Women partner and/or other support people to accompany throughout her childbirth will be allowed, regardless of their trial allocation."