What Does a Doula Do?
A Birth Doula provides professional labor and birth support. For more information about the role of a doula, please check out DONA International. Our doulas are all trained in the basics of childbirth, comfort measures for labor and birth, as well as the most current information regarding HIV and birth.
Once a pregnant woman is connected with an Ilythia doula, she and her partner or support person will meet with the doula at least two times before her due date. During these prenatal appointments, the doula will help the mom learn about all the labor and birth choices available, prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming birth, and reinforce education about HIV medications during the labor and birth process. In addition, our doulas are well connected with the latest birth and HIV/AIDS research and resources and can help find evidence based information to help guide and inform families.
When labor begins, the doula will join the woman at the hospital or home and provide continuous support for the duration of the labor and birth, whether that is 2 hours or 42 hours. We always have a back up doula available in the event that the primary doula is unable to attend the birth.
After birth, our doulas provide a postpartum home visit to check in on the new family and make sure they are connected to the community resources they may need.
Throughout the process of working together, our doulas take confidentiality VERY seriously and commit to maintaining the level of confidentiality that each family desires.
Once a pregnant woman is connected with an Ilythia doula, she and her partner or support person will meet with the doula at least two times before her due date. During these prenatal appointments, the doula will help the mom learn about all the labor and birth choices available, prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming birth, and reinforce education about HIV medications during the labor and birth process. In addition, our doulas are well connected with the latest birth and HIV/AIDS research and resources and can help find evidence based information to help guide and inform families.
When labor begins, the doula will join the woman at the hospital or home and provide continuous support for the duration of the labor and birth, whether that is 2 hours or 42 hours. We always have a back up doula available in the event that the primary doula is unable to attend the birth.
After birth, our doulas provide a postpartum home visit to check in on the new family and make sure they are connected to the community resources they may need.
Throughout the process of working together, our doulas take confidentiality VERY seriously and commit to maintaining the level of confidentiality that each family desires.
FEES
Families are invited to make a donation to the Ilythia Project if they are able. Doula services are provided on a volunteer basis and no one will be turned away due to financial constraints.