AHA Center for Health Innovation Market Scan
Brookings Health System - Volunteer Doulas
During registration, delivering parents are asked if they would like the free services of a volunteer doula. A doula is a nonmedical person who assists a woman and her husband and/or family before, during and after childbirth. Community women who are trained as doulas with Doulas of North America (or equivalent training) commit to one 24-hour shift or two 12-hour shifts per month. During their shift, they are on-call to provide either labor or postpartum support to delivering parents.
What is it?
During registration, delivering parents are asked if they would like the free services of a volunteer doula. A doula is a nonmedical person who assists a woman and her husband and/or family before, during and after childbirth. Community women who are trained as doulas with Doulas of North America (or equivalent training) commit to one 24-hour shift or two 12-hour shifts per month. During their shift, they are on-call to provide either labor or postpartum support to delivering parents.
Who is it for?
Parents who deliver at Brookings’ Obstetrics (OB) unit
Why do they do it?
The program was initiated in 2011 at the request of the community to add doulas as an available option on the OB care team. By using volunteers, program costs remain low to the health system while making additional services free to delivering parents.
Impact
Doulas provide multiple levels of support for the mothers, including emotional, informational and tangible items such as positioning and relaxation techniques. Partners can be actively involved in the birth, and OB nurses are provided relief.
Contact: Mary Schwaegerl
Obstetrics Director
Telephone: 605-696-9000
Email: mschwaegerl@brookingshealth.org
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