A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical care to women during labor and delivery to help ensure a comfortable and positive birth experience.
Atlantic Health System’s maternity centers have hospital doulas available to birthing mothers throughout their labor and for one to two hours after delivery. They assist with:
- Rest and relaxation
- Changing birth positions
- Comfort measures
- Breathing patterns
- Fluids and nutrition encouragement during the early part of labor
- Emotional support
- Communication between laboring women, partners and care providers
- Bonding and breastfeeding during the immediate postpartum recovery period
Understanding the Hospital Doula’s Role
Hospital doulas should not be confused with mid-wives. They make no decisions regarding clinical care, nor do they perform medical tasks, such as blood pressure and temperature checks, fetal heart rate monitoring or vaginal examinations. Additionally, hospital doulas do not make house calls or provide any service prior to labor and delivery, and are not intended to replace the role of the husband or birth partner.
Scheduling Hospital Doula Service
Women who are planning to give birth at Chilton Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, Newton Medical Center or Overlook Medical Center and would like to have a hospital doula present, should contact Morristown’s Parent Education Department to schedule a consultation. Available in-person or via telephone, this meeting serves to help the doula understand individual needs and birth plans.
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