Volunteer Doula Services
Birth doulas provide physical, emotional and informational support to birthing women and folks, as well as their families. Birth doulas can help you create a birth preference list (aka birth plan), give suggestions on birthing positions and comfort measures, provide hands on support during the birth, and facilitate a dialogue between you and your care provider so that you are getting the information you need to make informed choices during your birthing experience.
Our program works very simply. You fill out a form and will be matched to a doula who fits your needs. You'll have one prenatal visit with her in your home to get acquainted. You call your doula when you're in labor and she will stay with you until your child is born. Your doula will also be available for a questions after your birth and you'll receive a six week postpartum visit or phone call.
Birth doulas strive to help you achieve your birthing goals and preferences, and provide support for the journey.
Postpartum doulas work to "mother the mother" in the first 6 to 12 weeks after the birth of your baby. Postpartum doulas provide support in the home, including: breastfeeding and bottle feeding support, mama care and birth recovery support, newborn care instruction and help understanding your new baby, partner and family support/ education, sibling care and integration with new baby, light household support (meal prep, laundry), guidance around parenting choices and resources, help figuring out all those baby gadgets, and ultimately support in the ways you choose to mother and parent your new baby. Your postpartum doula's goal is to help you and your family have a smooth and peaceful transition to life with your newborn, and to make sure you are getting the emotional support you need as well.
Postpartum doulas are trained in normal postpartum recovery, newborn behavior, appearance and cues, breastfeeding, and bottle feeding, and in looking out for signs of postpartum mood disorders. Though your postpartum doula will not be able to diagnose medical or emotional needs, she can give you the appropriate referrals to care providers who can help. She will make sure you have what you need to thrive with your new baby.
Our doula services are free to anyone who otherwise could not afford one. However we do happily accept donations to our organization so that we may continue this work.
Please note: These services are intended for low income families only.