Calling All Doulas

try the pittsburgh doula network !

my girlfriend is an amazing 4th trimester doula!
here is her website
http://www.fourthtrimesterdoula.com/home.html
her name is Joanna and she just finished an assignment with twins.
hope this helps,
J.

Hi C.,

I used Birth Doulas of Pittsburgh. They were founded by Kathy McGrath who is a Doula, birth educator and is on the board of directors for LLL and DONA. They are nice because they have monthly "meet the Doula" events where you can go and meet the different doulas to see which one might work best for you. Here is their website: http://birthdoulasofpittsburgh.com/. You can also contact Kathy McGrath directly to see about getting a "doula in training". I think they have to do their first 30 or so births at no charge as part of their training.

J.

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I'm a doula so perhaps I can answer some questions for you.

The role of a labor/birth doula is to support a woman informationally, physically, and emotionally prenatally, during labor, and immediately postpartum. A postpartum doula can provide services in the mom's house in the weeks after birth, helping the mom to take care of herself so that she can take care of her newborn. Frequently this involves limited child care, light housekeeping, simple meal prep, in addition to hands-on help with the newborn.

Most typically a birth doula would not focus on older siblings while a mom is in labor. Now, if I went to a laboring mom's house and she and the dad wanted some time alone while she was in labor (some moms like to labor in the shower or tub for comfort), would I hang out with the older kids for half an hour or so? Sure. But that wouldn't be my primary function, and I wouldn't remain home with the older children when the mom went to her birthing place (assuming it's not a homebirth!). I'm not sure exactly what sort of services you are looking for; if it's primarily someone to look after the older kids, then perhaps a straightforward child care provider is what you should pursue.

Doulas do need hands-on experience in order to be certified so some doulas work at a reduced fee until they're certified.

I work with Heart and Hands (724/327-6063), and they offer both birth and postpartum doulas. A quick google search will help you locate many other fine doulas in Pittsburgh, as will going to the sites for DONA or CAPPA.

Good luck!

Recently, MOMS Club of Pittsburgh East had a guest speaker who is a midwife come and talk to our group. She was from a wonderful local resource called The Midwife Center. The url for the website is www.midwifecenter.org

All three of my pregnancies were complicated so I needed to go to a OB/GYN as well as an endocrinologist. However, friends who have used the Midwife Center have said what a wonderful resource it is. The nurse/midwife who came and spoke with our group found out about them when she was pregnant many years ago (her children are grown). She was so impressed with them that she decided to become a midwife and has worked there for I believe 8 years.

She mentioned all of the great services they offer both before, during and after birth (for both weeks and months after birth). Although you may have already made plans for the birth, perhaps they would have the information you are looking for and can point you to a reputable person/organization if they cannot help you themselves.

I don't know what area you are in. I hope this information is helpful. Best wishes with your birthing experience.