What is a Doula?
A doula is a non-medical professional trained to support mothers and families with physical, emotional, and evidence-based information before, during, and after birth. The doula helps to ensure that a mother, baby, and family achieve the healthiest, most rewarding birth experience possible.
How Can a Doula Support You and Your Growing Family?
Doula care is effective because it is built on a strong relationship with the mother that starts in pregnancy. During visits that start prenatally, the Doula shares evidence-based knowledge, assists with the development of birth preferences, and learns about the mother’s life experiences and family to provide the best support possible. When it is time for the mother to give birth, the “Doulas use techniques such as imagery, massage, acupressure, and patterned breathing to reduce a woman’s pain. They suggest position changes to accelerate labor or aid in fetal positioning. They also provide guidance and encouragement to minimize fear and anxiety, and encourage touch and communication between the laboring woman and her partner.” (Papagni, 2006 p13).
Doula Values
- Doula care should empower the client and family to play an active role in their prenatal care, birth and postpartum care. We believe that this empowerment can change the trajectory of a family
- All families deserve access to Doula care
- All families look different
- Doula care should empower support persons to play an active role
- All clients have what they need to be great parents
| What they Do | What they Don’t Do |
|---|---|
| Provide childbirth education. Physical and emotional support. | Does not provide medical treatment. Does not perform medical procedures, tasks, or checks. |
| Inform of birthing options. | Does not make decisions for you or your family. |
| Empowers client decision making. | Does not speak on your behalf. |
| Offer support during Labor and Delivery | Does not push their agenda. |
| Connect to local community resources. | Does not promise specific birth experience or outcome. |
| Provide postpartum support | |
| Connect to lactation support |
Doula Program Overview:
- Doula will provide 3 appointments with the client during the 3rd trimester
- Doula will be with the client during the labor and delivery
- Doula will provide 3 appointments with the client in the postpartum period, ensuring you are connected to lactation support if needed.
- Mental Health Check Ins are completed during prenatal and postpartum periods with Edinburgh Assessments
Eligibility:
- Must be a resident of Pinellas County.
- Client must be at least 25 weeks gestation.
- Cannot have an elective C-Section scheduled.
Can I self refer?
Yes! Please contact our CONNECT team to get more information or to get started. Please call 727-507-4260, email Connect@HealthyStartPinellas.org, or complete the Programs and Services Inquiry form below. Please note that if you have not reached 25 weeks gestation, CONNECT will place you on the waiting list. Being on the waiting list does not guarantee doula availability for your due date.
Your baby deserves a healthy start. Let us help you during this important time in your lives.
CONNECT with Healthy Start Family Partners now: 727-507-4260.
Community Partner Referrals
For client referrals, please fill out this Client Referral Form with your client information. Clients must be at least 25 weeks gestation to be connected for doula services. A referral is not a guarantee of doula assignment.