Doula's on call and/or volunteer?

[kama'aina mama]

I was watching Birth Story the other day and at one hospital they showed a woman who arrived by herself in labor. Her husband was home getting the 3 or 4 other kids taken care of. They asked her if she wanted a doula and explained to her what they are. She says, 'sure'.

This particular hospital keeps a list of local doulas who will be on call and volunteer their services. Has anyone here heard of or participated in a program like this? It sounds awesome to me, although I suppose it could be tough to create a relationship with the laboring woman and her partner that quickly. It seems like a great way to help women who may be under-prepared and get a lot of experience at teh same time. Anyone have other thoughts on this?

[lisamarie]

Oh how wonderful~I have wanted to start a program like that in our area. There are so many families without family in the area to help out during labor/delivery and post-partum. Its a great idea!

Warmly~

Lisa

Lisa:love

[SJane]

I've heard of that- although it's not available where I live. The doulas are on-call and hired through the hospital. So you'd be on call on certain nights and if you are needed, the hospital calls you and you come in. I wish I could do that here. It would be nice while my kids are so young to know exactly what nights I might be gone. The only down side of course, is that you don't have a relationship with the clients beforehand.

[marymom]

in the 80s(give you an idea of my age?) I was privelidged to have participated in a group called MOTHER TO MOTHER and CHILDBIRTH INC in Austin TX in Brackenridge hospital- I have since moved where there is no org out of the hospital but I am a doula who volunteers locally with the hEALTHY START program- if you are a doula, go talk to the local sevices that exist and volunteer your services, ya never know who might call:)