Introduction
Maternal health outcomes are frequently worse for individuals living in rural and remote communities due to the distance people must travel for healthcare, higher rates of poverty, and higher risk factors for related health conditions, such as mental illness and substance use. Doulas, non-medical childbirth companions, provide emotional, informational, physical, and advocacy support to people during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Research has documented doulas’ positive impact on birth outcomes, including lower rates of induction and cesarean birth. The benefits of doulas may be especially important for marginalized and underserved populations who experience disparate health outcomes, including rural residents. This scoping review was conducted to describe and assess the landscape of doula-focused research that focuses on the unique contextual challenges faced by rural communities.