Alamo Area Birth Doula
Your Support During Labor
Susan Allick
DONA, HCHD-Hypnobabies - Certified Birth Doula
Childbirth Support Especially for You
A Birth Doula is a trained and experienced birth companion who provides the mother-to-be and her husband or partner with continuous emotional, physical and informational assistance before, during and just after childbirth.
She assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for childbirth. The doula stays by the woman's side throughout the entire birth and fulfills her role as one who nurtures and protects the mother's memory of her birth experience.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well being of mothers and infants. Clinical studies have found that a doula's support:
- Results in shorter birthing times with fewer complications
- Reduces the need for Pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- Reduces the need for pain medication and/or epidurals
http://www.dona.org/resources/research.php#birth
Over 25 insurance companies have provided some reimbursement for birth support. Grant funding is also occasionally available, and some Medicaid funded health agencies have contracts with doula organizations to support women in poverty and women with special needs. Active duty members and spouses E-5 and below may also qualify for free Doula Support.
OPERATION SPECIAL DELIVERY(OSD ) no longer provides FREE doula support to women whose MILITARY spouses are deployed, severely injured or lost their lives due to the current war on terror; and have no family members to support their births. However, " SABD (San Antonio Birth Doulas) ", a non-profit organization, is offering free Doula Support for all Military and their spouses. Call 210-222-0988 to get signed up. Be sure to bring a copy of yours or your spouses orders.
I am a Certified Birth Doula in San Antonio,Texas. And I am committed to helping the birthing woman to have a safe and satisfying childbirth, as she defines it; and to ensure that every woman who wants a Doula - will have one, regardless of ability to pay. Please let me know if you need low or no cost Doula support.
If you are NOT from the San Antonio Area and are looking for low cost Doula support in your area , please email DONA international at: info@dona.org . Ask for a list of trained, certifying Doulas in your area . They will provide you a list of their members or verify your certifying Doula.