OVERVIEW OF PERINATAL SUPPORT & DOULA SERVICES (PSS)

DURING PREGNANCY

in-home comprehensive pregnancy support, prenatal education, birth preparation & newborn care education
transportation & support for pregnancy-related medical & social service appointments
facilitation of pre-birth planning meeting with the client, their supports and providers
use of RealCare Baby Simulators to build upon strengths in newborn care, skills assessments and development of customized education plans
developing client-centered birthing goals, CAPTA plan of safe care and postpartum support plans
linkage with community parenting supports and providers

DURING LABOR & BIRTH

24/7 on-call supports around the estimated due date
continuous Labor Doula support (emotional, physical, education & advocacy) throughout active labor, birth and into the immediate postpartum period
advocacy of the client’s birth goals, facilitating open communication with medical providers
assistance with client & baby's hospital discharge and transportation home

INTENSIVE POSTPARTUM SUPPORT (IPS)

(See the IPS overview page for more details)

6 weeks of intensive in-home comprehensive Postpartum Doula support, education and care

PARENTING EDUCATION

provide parenting education with the use of evidence-based/influenced curricula and practices; modeling & instruction of age-appropriate positive attachment parenting techniques
fostering family and fatherhood engagement
conduct maternal, paternal, infant and child(ren) wellness screenings and assessments with linkage to appropriate providers when indicated

PARENTING EDUCATION for Parents within the DCF REUNIFICATION PROCESS;

attendance, support and parenting education provided during child visitation

Education for Parents & Caregivers

As parents and caregivers, sometimes we need help in understanding our child's needs. Circle of Security International

provides training that focus on increasing security, attachment and strengthening parent-child relationships. Check out these videos below that can help you to better understand those needs and how to best address them with your child.

Circle of Security Animation

Circle of Security: Connection

Check out this article by Rebecca Dekker

EVIDENCE FOR DOULAS

What the evidence based studies have said:

The use of Doula's for Continuous Support During Childbirth:

A 2017 updated Cochrane Review published by, Bohren et al.

The results of 26 trials that included more than 15,000 people were combined.

With Doula Support:

31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
28% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

___________________________

Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes:

abstract by, K.Gruber, S.Cupito, C.Dobson, J Perinat Educ . 2013 Winter; 22(1): 49–58.

Birth outcomes of two groups of socially disadvantaged mothers at risk for adverse birth outcomes;

receiving pre-birth assistance from a certified Doula
representing a sample of birthing mothers who elected to not work with a Doula

All of the mothers were participants in a prenatal health and childbirth education program. Expectant mothers matched with a Doula had better birth outcomes.

Doula-assisted mothers were:

four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby
Two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby
Significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding
Communication with and encouragement from a Doula throughout the pregnancy may have increased the mother’s self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.