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Feedback on the Hull doula project

Last night I had dinner with the leaders who are involved in the Hull Sure Start Doula program. They told me that since my last visit, all the doulas in the first intake have been assigned to women and have been supporting them through their pregnancies. A number of the women have already given birth, and all the births so far have been “active” and very rewarding for all concerned. One woman, a drug addict, gave birth well, needing no medication and this was a wonderful outcome for a woman who clearly needed good support (and her doula) .

This is a very inspiring service and one that other Sure Starts might like to think about establishing. It will be a few months before this new crop of volunteer doulas are ready to be teamed up with women in the local community. Each woman who is selected for inclusion in the program will have a primary doula and a back up doula, and can expect close contact with a volunteer who will provide friendship and practical assistance. I am most impressed with this service and am sure that it is peer support aspect that makes the difference. We know it works with breastfeeding and it makes sense that good social support can also result in better births as well.

Posted by andrea at April 05, 2006 04:23 PM