Parent Education Support Programs and Classes
Post
Having a baby is a joy unlike any other. However, with the excitement of your impending birth, you may also have some anxiety about coping with labor and the postpartum period. These feelings are understandable and natural. Now, and age old idea is helping families through the journey of childbirth.
The "Doula Touch" at GBMC offers extended support for expecting parents. As a compliment to the medical care that you receive, a doula provides comfort, reassurance, and continued support to you and your family. We hope to enhance your birth experience as patient advocates, encouraging and educating partners and family members throughout this exciting time.
Our commitment to your new family continues even after you have left the hospital. GBMC's Postpartum doula's provide non-medical support to antepartum mothers, new mothers and family members. Our services include errand runs, nursery and home organization, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry and transportation. We offer guidance in newborn care, sibling care, breastfeeding support, safety tips and emotional support.
The GBMC Doula Program is a fee-based service. Doulas are trained by GBMC and a National Accrediting Organization for Doulas. Early registration is recommended. To register for doula services or request information by mail please call the "Doula Touch" program at (443) 849-6287.
All GBMC doulas have attended an approved certification course in addition to childbirth education, lactation and massage therapy classes. We offer full time support in massage, relaxation, breathing exercises, acupressure (noninvasive), visualization, labor and delivery positioning, childbirth education and breastfeeding support. Clients who hire a doula are looking to enhance their birth experience. Through encouragement, support, and personalized instruction, doulas assist partners and family members throughout the birth process.
GBMC postpartum doulas offer daytime and overnight support with infant care, breastfeeding support, sibling care, meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, emotional support, home organization, errand runs and safety tips. Postpartum doulas promote infant and family bonding while creating a sense of balance and organization during your recovery period.
Pamper and reward the expecting parents or new mother with total relaxation. We offer full body massage services before or after your delivery. Our certified massage therapists specialize in pregnancy massage, infant massage and high-risk precautions. These services are offered on the antepartum unit. labor and delivery unit, postpartum unit, or the comfort of your own home. Our trained therapist have the skills to provide cesarean discomfort relief, physical relaxation, and newborn comfort.
- "I was so anxious about labor and delivery and I was afraid I was going tohave unrealistic expectation of my husband. Our doula was so great at keeping me calm and relaxed. My husband felt confident in his role as my coach because our doula continued to make suggestions that allowed him to effectively support me."
- "It's like having a good friend to relate to at all times, someone who can calm your fears about having a baby."
- "I couldn't have made it through 8 hours of unmedicated labor, the epidural, and 2.5 hours of pushing. My husband agrees -- he also relied on her for guidance too."
- "I would never consider giving birth without a Doula. I rate my success with labor and delivery to the fact that we had a Doula present."
- "I felt more confident in my ability to nurse my daughter and the doula helped to keep our home running smoothly."
