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Volunteer Doula Programme: A Canadian Perspective

Volunteer Doula Programme: A Canadian Perspective. Shauna Powers NHS Lothian Health Promotion Service. Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax: Stats. Population (2008): approximately 400,000 Industry: Shipping, defence, education Located on the Atlantic Ocean

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Volunteer Doula Programme: A Canadian Perspective

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  1. Volunteer Doula Programme: A Canadian Perspective Shauna Powers NHS Lothian Health Promotion Service

  2. Halifax, Nova Scotia

  3. Halifax: Stats • Population (2008): approximately 400,000 • Industry: Shipping, defence, education • Located on the Atlantic Ocean • Largely White population (92.5%), Black (3.9%), Asian (2.4%) and Arab (1.4%) (2006)

  4. Maternity Care in Nova Scotia • Publicly funded healthcare • Midwifery has been began legislation in NS November 2006. Midwifery Act passed in 2009. • Maternity care largely provided by Obstetricians, GPs and Maternity nurses

  5. IWK Health Centre • Approximately 5000 babies are delivered at the hospital each year. • There are 2,976 employees at the IWK. • 147 air transports completed. • $10.9 million of funded research was underway at the IWK last year. • 3 midwives on staff as of July 2009

  6. Single Parents CentreHalifax • Voluntary organization which helps mums and families in social and economically deprived areas of Halifax • Parenting skills, cooking classes, baby massage, prenatal education, counselling • 1996-Longest running volunteer doula programme in North America

  7. Steps to becoming a Volunteer Doula • 30 hours of training • 12 hour shift at the IWK • Program in partnership with the IWK and Capital Health – donate about 40% funding • Approved by DONA International • Currently about 50-60 volunteers

  8. Matching process • Initial visit with programme manager • First meeting between volunteer doula and mum. • Meetings to discuss birth plan, pain management, hopes, fears, breastfeeding baby issues etc • Beeper/cell phone contact • Mom can contact manager if she is not satisfied with her doula

  9. The Process • Volunteer on-call to provide continuous 1:1 support when labour begins • Works with nurses, physicians and midwives to provide support • Expenses are provided for doula (taxi, childcare) • Official hospital permission to accompany mother and partner in OR if needed • Generally stays with family 2 hours after birth or until settled

  10. Post-partum care • NS: Normal discharge 24 hours to 3 days • 1-2 visits first week to assess situation and provide referral if needed • Support with general breastfeeding issues • 1 visit week 2 and 3 • “Birth Story” written and given to family

  11. Current Statistics • 122 referrals from April 2008 - March 2009 (30 referrals in January 2010) Since 1996: 1060 referrals and approximately 400 doulas trained Referred Clients • 18% newcomers • 48% little or no support • 55% with special needs

  12. Outcomes • 41% no medication • 48% had epidurals (IWK 85%+) • 14% C/S (IWK 30%+) • 94% breastfeeding @birth (IWK 73%) • 84% breastfeeding @4weeks (NS 42%?)

  13. Personal Experience with programme

  14. Questions?

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