Healthy postpartum support for moms

Living Healthy for Moms

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11380480

This project tests doula-delivered, community-linked care to support the physical, mental, and social health of postpartum mothers in high-risk New York City neighborhoods.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11380480 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would work with trained doulas who help connect you to hospital and community services during and after childbirth. The program focuses on detecting and addressing mental health and cardiovascular risks while offering social and practical support. Doulas coordinate care across sites in partnership with local community organizations to improve follow-up and continuity after delivery. The approach emphasizes strengths and empowerment rather than only focusing on risks or trauma.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who are pregnant or recently postpartum in New York City—especially those living in neighborhoods with higher maternal risk or with limited access to services—are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Individuals who live outside the project’s NYC sites, are not pregnant or postpartum, or already have continuous specialized postpartum support may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce preventable postpartum complications and deaths and improve detection and treatment of mental health and cardiovascular issues for new mothers in high-risk communities.

How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller programs and studies suggest doula support can improve maternal outcomes, but large, rigorous multisite evaluations of this holistic postpartum model are limited.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.