Press Release

Halifax, September 1, 2004

A public forum on the role of the doula, will take place at the Parker Reception Room, IWK Health Centre on September 10, 2004. “The Birthing Mother and the Doula Connection,” will highlight doula’s stories and the experiences of women who have sought out their support during the birth process. Teresa Pitman, childbirth educator and journalist, will be the keynote speaker. She will address the impact of the doula on the birth process and the health of the newborn.

Unlike doctors or midwifes, doulas are trained to focus solely on the non-medical needs of women and their families before, during and after child birth. The doula provides hands-on support to help moms stay focused and calm during child birth. They can help reduce the discomfort of labour while assisting family members in supporting their loved one.

The Halifax Volunteer Doula Program allows expectant women and their families to use the services provided by a doula through labour, childbirth and the immediate period after the birth.

“The Volunteer Doula Program in Halifax is unique,” explains Hilary Marentette, a certified doula instructor and recipient of the Penny Simkin Award for Doula Spirit and Mentoring. “We have trained about 150 volunteers over the past 8 years to support families with uninterrupted emotional and physical support through labour and birth. And the volunteers have the opportunity to contribute to their community in a meaningful way.”

The Program was initiated by the Single Parent Centre in Halifax in 1996 and continues to be supported by the Capital Health District, The IWK Health Centre and the Home of the Guardian Angel (Single Parent Centre). But the program faces increasing financial constraints and is continually seeking new funding partnerships. At the same time, the benefits of the program are clear.

According to Christine Saulnier, Senior Research Officer at the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, "Research shows that women who are accompanied by doulas experience less anxiety throughout the labour, delivery and postpartum period. As a result, their labour and deliveries are less likely to involve the use of pain medication, forcep intervention and often result in fewer C-sections. These women also have a quicker recovery and develop more confidence taking care of and bonding with their newborn."

A recent report shows that 92% of women who had a doula attend their delivery breastfed their babies at birth, compared to only 66% of Nova Scotia women who breastfed their children at the time of hospital discharge.

Currently the demand for these volunteer doulas exceeds capacity. As a result, many women privately pay for their valuable services which include full postpartum care, reassurance and support to help with the newborn, breastfeeding support, practical hands-on help with meal preparation, light housekeeping, and relief childcare/sibling care. But not everyone has the financial means to hire a doula.

The public forum will generate discussion around the role of the doula and the unique and important role played by The Halifax Volunteer Doula Program.
“ The Birthing Mother and the Doula Connection”
The Parker Reception Room, IWK Health Centre
September 10, 2004
4:30-6:30
ADMISSION IS FREE

For more information on the Birthing Mother and the Doula Connection, please contact: Hilary Marentette, Volunteer Doula Program, (902) 479-0508 or Chrisitine Saulnier, Senior Research Officer at the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, (902) 494-7877.