SIOUX CITY | Gail O'Connor admitted she was "very afraid" when she arrived at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's at 6 a.m. on April 3 to meet expectant mom Chelsea Miller for the first time.
Miller, who had a private doula for the birth of her son, Rayden, now 2, specifically requested the additional physical, emotional and informational support to help bring her daughter, Iris, into the world with minimal interventions.
O'Connor, who was getting her feet wet as a volunteer doula, recalled telling Miller, "Breathe," as she watched teary-eyed as Miller's boyfriend, Alex, stood behind Miller helping her to the floor and back up again as the contractions washed over her.
Miller, of Sioux City, said O'Connor encouraged her by saying, "You're made for this. Women do this all the time."
After laboring for several hours, Miller received a spinal block. About 10 minutes later, Iris was born at 2 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces.
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"Even if you've never had a doula and you're uncomfortable maybe not knowing them, it's really worth it," Miller said glancing at O'Connor, as Iris napped and Rayden played with a toy truck. "It definitely helps you be more relaxed and focused on labor."
St. Luke's currently has a team of 23 doulas who are on call and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free two-day doula workshops were held last February and July, and this January.
Amaris Garcia, volunteer doula program coordinator, said St. Luke's decided to offer the volunteer doula program to give mothers who couldn't afford to hire a private doula access to support. She said every mom should be supported in labor no matter who sho is or what kind of birth she's having.
"Even if she has an epidural or is getting pain medication, the doula's still there to give that support," Garcia said. "(The doula) can reassure and give confidence to her."
The word "doula" is a Greek word meaning "a woman who serves." Unlike a midwife, Garcia said doulas don't "catch" babies, but strictly offer non-medical support. They don't take the place of nurses, partners or family members.
"So many of these women just have such a heart to serve moms. They love to give of themselves," she said. "We're really amazed at how many of these women are volunteering their time to serve women in the community."
The volunteers attend a free two-day workshop through which they learn about the birth process and how to perform comfort techniques to help mothers cope with labor. Garcia said doulas might suggest that the baby's father apply light massage or counter-pressure to ease pain.
"They have to have that actual exposure to birth, so it's really been an asset to them," said Garcia, who oversaw a hands-on training session for the volunteer doulas in St. Luke's labor and delivery unit. She said the hospital's program is a step on the path to becoming a certified doula.
Unlike private doulas, who also work with clients before and after birth, a volunteer doula might not meet an expectant mother until the day she goes into labor. Garcia said St. Luke's offers meet and greet events with the volunteer doulas.
After reading about births where labor was induced or the baby was forcibly turned, O'Connor said she wants to strive to keep the experience as trauma-free as possible. She believes Iris' birth was a "breeze" because Garcia prepared Miller so well the first time.
"I just think keeping the mother calm is going to keep the baby calm. The baby should be born into a peaceful world," she said.
