Blog / Doula Resources
Doulas need support too! We’re here for you with information, research, news and more to help you stay up to date and inspired with articles written just for doulas.
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ICAN features postpartum doula support after cesarean
While we doulas know that every woman and every birth is unique, a cesarean birth can create special support needs for families, particularly in the postpartum period. Debbie Young, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA) Past President of DONA International shares some of the ways a...
Doula Support for Cesareans: ICAN President Guest Post
Editor’s Note: In honor of International Doula Month, International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) President LaQuitha Glass shares her thoughts on doulas and cesareans as she reflects on her own birth experiences. ICAN is one of many resources The DONA Doula...
New Research: Premature Birth – Causes & Factors Influencing Outcomes
Premature birth, when a baby arrives before 37 weeks gestation, occurs in 11% of all births in the United States, and 15 million babies are born preterm worldwide. Prematurity is associated with significant and sometimes long term complications for these babies...
Cesarean Resources for Doulas
To round out The DONA Doula Chronicle’s posts for Cesarean Awareness Month, we have compiled a list of resources for doulas and our clients about cesareans, doula support for these births and, since many cesareans are repeat cesareans, resources on vaginal birth after...
Cesarean Awareness Month Film: Trial of Labor
Trial of Labor is a documentary about four women seeking a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). The film is a powerful chronicle of their experiences reflecting on their cesarean births, seeking information about VBAC, navigating care provider and hospital policies,...
ACOG Seeks Better Adoption of Evidence-Based Standards
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a new Opinion from their Committee on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement encouraging the use of protocols and checklists to help providers implement the Congress’ recommendations and...
Joint ACOG/SMF Statement on Maternity Health Levels
In a joint statement released last month entitled Obstetric Care Consensus: Levels of Maternity Care the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) called for the creation and adoption of a...
The Birth of a Hospital Doula Program
Editor’s Note: Sujata Gami has been on staff with the Women’s Education Department at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC as a childbirth educator since 2007. Her experience with the Alternative Birth Methods team she describes below has inspired her to become a...
Important New Research on Postpartum Depression May Bring Changes to How the Disorder is Diagnosed
For all of the awareness that has been generated about postpartum depression, there is a great deal that is still unknown about the disorder. Is postpartum depression a unique type of depression where women experiencing it are biologically different than those...
Does Vitamin D Deficiency Increase Labor Pain?
Vitamin D is often called “the sunshine vitamin” since it can be absorbed through the skin from the sun. Deficiencies in vitamin D have long been associated with brittle bones and some research has found connections with cancer, autoimmune diseases, high blood...
In Case You Missed It: Homebirths Encouraged for British Mums
Last month, Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence released new guidelines encouraging women with uncomplicated pregnancies – roughly 45% of all pregnancies in their estimation – to have their babies at home or in a birth center instead of a...
Flu & Pregnancy – New Research Published
Two studies published this fall provide important information on the flu in pregnancy. First, reviews of Centers for Disease Control data from recent flu outbreaks show that pregnant women who contract the flu are at higher risk for complications and overall have...
Winter Weather Tips for Doulas
Doulas on TV: Frasier to Bones and Beyond
The birth community has been abuzz about the latest portrayal of doulas on a primetime television show. Yes, the doula in Bones was outside of our scope of practice and, in general, did not provide the appropriate emotional, informational and physical support she was...
In Case You Missed It: Online Continuing Education for Doulas
Staying up to date on evidence-based information, best care practices and how to continuously improve a doula practice is no easy task. These days many educational options are available on-line for degrees and certifications. While doula support is a very hands-on and...
Listening to Mothers – Postpartum & Breastfeeding
Last week we shared some highlights from the information-packed Listening to Mothers survey on the pregnancy and birth experiences of 2,400 women who gave birth between July 1, 2011 and June 20, 2012. You can find that post (with more on the Listening to Mothers...
Listening to Mothers – Pregnancy & Birth
Have you heard of the Listening to Mothers Initiative? It is an incredible resource for doulas, childbirth educators and other maternity and postpartum care professionals (including medical providers)! This online survey of 2,400 women who gave birth in American...
Look for the October eDoula in your inbox!
Each quarter, DONA International members receive a regional e-newsletter, highlighting initiatives, education opportunities and other resources in their area. The latest eDoula went out on October 15th. In addition to regional information, this issue also had...