Doulas

St. Francis is proud to offer Doula Services to women who deliver their baby at St. Francis. So, what is a doula? The term “doula” is Greek for “women’s helper,” and she is a trained labor support person who is also an experienced mother herself. A Doula does not replace the highly skilled Obstetrical (OB) Nurses or Dad, who is coaching and supporting his partner through labor and birth. She cares for the whole family, encouraging, supporting, and explaining the process of labor and delivery.

Registering for a Doula

If you plan on having a Doula present at your birth, please submit the Doula Request Form with your OB Registration Packet.

You may pre-pay by credit card by calling 864-675-4400 or pay upon arrival for delivery at Registration. Effective September 1, 2009, the fee for Doula Services is $150. Fees paid prior to this date are unaffected by this change.

Why use a Doula?

OB Nurses are experienced in dealing with a laboring woman’s emotional and physical needs, but as they attend to additional clinical duties, the Doula can help with other needs and provide continuous labor support. A doula provides explanations of medical procedures, emotional support during labor and birth, help with preparation of a birth plan, massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief, positioning suggestions during labor and birth, and support for the partner so that they can love and encourage the laboring woman.
 
Statistics indicate positive effects for lengths of labor, C-section rates, and overall patient satisfaction when using a Doula. According to Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, doula services have provided:
  • 50% reduction in cesarean rates
  • 25% reduction in time of labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests
  • 40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use
  • 40% reduction in forceps delivery

What about Dad?

Dad may be better able to provide continuous support, but probably has little actual experience in dealing with the labor. Even fathers who have had intensive preparation are often surprised at the amount of work involved. More importantly, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and can find it hard to be objective in such a situation.

Some fathers or partners are concerned they may be sidelined or replaced by the Doula during labor. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor in the presence of a Doula than without one, and responsible Doula supports and encourages the father and enhances his support style rather than replaces him.

Meet Our Doulas

Meet our doulas! The nationally-certified Doulas at St. Francis are available to attend a mother-to-be for the duration of her labor and birth, offering emotional support and physical comfort measures, such as massage. You can meet them in person and find out more about their services at one of our Meet the Doula information sessions.  

Jaalah Paterson

"I love that I am allowed the opportunity to be a part of an incredibly intimate time in the life of a family. Being a Doula gives me the opportunity to see new life and new hope. I strive to make a
woman’s birth experience all that she hopes it will be."

Doula Since: 2008, CAPPA certification in progress
Family: Married with two daughters

Renee Rubner

"My inspiration to become a Doula came from the support my husband and I received from our Doula during the births of our children. I am blessed to minister to laboring mothers and their partners with the same kind of individualized support, serving them during one of life’s most miraculous moments!"

Doula Since: 2007, DONA certification in progress
Family: Married with two children

Erin Shreve

"It is a blessing to be able to help couples have the birth experience they want."

Doula Since: 1989, CAPPA certified
Family: Married with two sons and six daughters

 

Carolyn Valentine

"I love helping women have a wonderful birth experience."

Doula Since: 2003, DONA certified
Family: Mother of two daughters

 

Fran Walker

"My daughter’s first birth was very difficult for her, but because of her Doula, she was able to have
the birth experience as she wanted. I was inspired by the supportive attitude of her special Doula and decided to become one myself."

Doula Since: 2003, DONA certified
Family: Mother of three children, grandmother to three children