Senior Level Doulas

Your senior level doula:

Has attended at least 25 births.  Because she works closely in a group and learns from the experiences of others, she also has the collective wisdom of more than 1,000 births.

Brings proven comfort measures. She is skilled in a wide variety of comfort measures, including massage techniques, acupressure, the best use of hot/cold compresses, aromatherapy, and visualization/ hypnobirthing strategies. She will work with you to find the comfort measures that are most effective for you and work with your own interests and experiences with comfort

Knows birth. All senior level doulas have received their initial training from a national certifying organization such as DONA (Doulas of North America). They have also participated in at least one full series of advanced trainings provided by Birthways and have additional focus on labor management. Classes include: handling emergencies; common complications; the first breastfeeding; and the meaning of advocacy. Senior doulas are also certified in neonatal resuscitation and adult/child cpr.

Has “seen it all.” Senior level doulas have experience with first time mothers, families with older siblings, vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC), home births, hospital births, pre-existing medical conditions, and common (and not-so-common) complications. She has the valuable experience of supporting the normal progress of labor even in the presence of interventions and has developed wisdom for supporting women having a wide range of normal labor patterns.

Provides research-based breastfeeding support. She has received basic breastfeeding training and attended an advanced series of continuing education classes designed to help your first breastfeeding go smoothly. Having breastfeeding challenges later on? All Birthways families have access to our breastfeeding warmline.

Is well supported. All of our doulas have access to 24/7 administrative support, a trained midwife, and a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).

Knows area hospitals. She has worked at nearly every major hospital in the Chicago area, and knows the ins-and-outs of their protocols. She has likely worked with your doctor or midwife practice.

Is skilled at getting to know you. Your doula will be learning about you and your decision-making process, your birth wishes, what will comfort, reassure and help you gain confidence. We honor your choices and your approach to birth and parenting.

Provides gentle advocacy. She provides diplomatic support, working effectively with doctors, midwives, and nurses. We are careful to create anatmosphere of calm and cooperation in the delivery room and work to enhance communication to get you on the same page well before labor begins.

Has carefully arranged backup. Your doula will be on call for you for the last weeks of pregnancy, but we always plan for the unlikely and unforeseen. Your doula will introduce you to another Birthways doula for backup by the 36th week of your pregnancy.

Knows what comes next. All of our labor support doulas are required to be trained as postpartum doulas as well. This means they can answer your questions about newborn wellbeing and your postpartum recovery. Some are currently practicing as postpartum doulas now and can provide you with additional care (for more information, please contact a Birthways administrator).