Hamilton Obstetrics and Gynecology

Susan Taffe was a birth doula who received training through Doulas of North America (DONA). She developed a program called Bright Beginnings which provides free doula services to patients of Hamilton Obstetrics and Gynecology in the summer of 2005. 

Final Report

A birth doula is a knowledgeable, caring, professionally trained woman who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman and her partner during labor and birth.  She does not make decisions for the laboring woman, provide medical assistance, or take the place of the mother's partner.  The doula is there to support the birthing couple in having as comfortable a birth as possible. 

I conduct initial consultations with Hamilton Obstetrics and Gynecology patients in the office, located in downtown Hamilton.  Thereafter, I make several prenatal home visits to get to know the mother and her family better, to help them create a birth plan, and to provide them with any needed information or answer questions they may have. 

I go to the mother's home in early labor and provide continuous support throughout the labor and birth.  Relaxation techniques that I might use with a client include massage, counter pressure, keeping the mother hydrated, suggesting labor positions, use of breathing techniques, music, application of heat and cold, relaxation and concentration techniques, and keeping the mother's partner calm and informed.  I leave the couple an hour or two after the baby is born once they are comfortable and settled.     

I follow up with one post-partum visit where I present them with a narrative telling their birth story from my perspective.

The goal of the program is two fold:

1) To provide free doula services to mothers in our community.  Studies show that mothers who have the help of a doula, or labor support person, have a 50% reduction in cesarean rate, 25% shorter labor, a 60% reduction in epidural request, 40% reduction in pitocin use, and a 40% reduction in forceps delivery.  These mothers also had fewer instances of post-partum depression and had more confidence in caring for their babies.  The way in which babies are brought into the world has the power to affect the lives of mothers and their babies as well as their families for generations to come.  This program works toward building stronger, more close knit families in our community as well as empowering our area mothers. 

2) To create a partnership between Colgate University and Hamilton Obstetrics and Gynecology, thereby creating positive connections between the university and area residents.  The birth of a baby is one of the most significant moments in a family's history.  The university's participation as a partner in this program is one of the many ways that Colgate University is working to build meaningful relationships with its neighbors. 

 Please see www.dona.org for more information on doulas.