Doulas
A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.
Maple City Health Care Center offers a doula to all of our pregnant patients.
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves".
Ellie Gerig Leads our Doulas
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, and babies are breastfeed more easily.
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
Our doulas understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. The doula helps the woman carry out the woman’s plans for birth. The doula stays with the woman throughout the labor to provide emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint. The doula helps the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions.
The doula allows the woman's partner or relatives to participate at his/her comfort level.
Our doulas receive training from DONA (Doulas of North America)Certified Trainers.
Doulas from Maple City Health Care Center have helped with the births of over 500 babies.