[Althealth] Doula training

[Phyllis Price]

Hi folks:

I got this from another list I'm on and thought it was worth repeating here.

 Please disregard the last paragraph since it's aimed at the other
organization.

Phyllis


>From: Melissa & Chris <doula@sympatico.ca>
>To: <au023@chebucto.ns.ca>, <kmartin2@po_box.mcgill.ca>,
><auroraspirit@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Doula Training in NS
>Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 11:20:46 -0400
>
>There is a strong movement sweeping North America - I am sure you have
>heard
>of us.  We are called Doulas.  We are women who assist women during the
>childbearing period.     "Doula" refers to a supportive companion (other
>than a friend or loved one) who is professionally trained to provide labour
>support. She performs no clinical tasks.   "Doula" also refers to lay women
>who are trained or experienced in providing postpartum care - mother and
>newborn care, breastfeeding support and advice, cooking, child care,
>errands, and light cleaning - for the family.  To distinguish between the
>two types of Doulas, one may refer to "birth Doulas" and " postpartum
>Doulas."
>
>A Doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women
>and
>their partners during labour and birth, help and advice on comfort measures
>such as breathing, relaxation, massage and positioning; assistance to
>families in gathering information about the course of their labour and
>their
>options; continuous emotional reassurance and comfort; non-medical skills
>such as massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures
>assistance to partners who want to play an active support role help so the
>woman has a safe and satisfying childbirth as the woman defines it.
>
>There are 116 Doula Trainers in North America.  I am one of only  ten
>trainers in Canada and I am based in Central Ontario.   I know of only two
>Certified Doulas in Nova Scotia and there is a dire need for more
>professionally trained women in the province.   I am planning to do a
>training in the Halifax area and wondered if you were willing to work
>together on this.   I have an abundance of information that I can give to
>you regarding Doulas if you wish including an article titled "Midwives &
>Doulas - What's The Difference?" that our local paper ran an article on the
>difference
>
>Thanks for your consideration.
>
>
>In the Doula Spirit,
>MÈlissa Cowl, CBE, CD/DT (DONA)
>Co-ordinator, Simcoe Birth Services
>& DONA Certification Committee Member
>

Broad Cove, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia
B0J 2H0

ph: (902) 677-2794
fax (902) 677-2327