Doulas Program

As an effort to provide maternity patients with a unique birthing experience, the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital has collaborated with Birth Partners, a partnership of birth and postpartum doulas.

Griffin Hospital encourages this service for patients who chose a different approach to the childbirth experience. This patient-initiated service includes the use of Doulas -- trained professional labor assistants who provide support to both the woman and her partner -- to offer a woman physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy as well as continuous support at home during early labor, continuing at the hospital.

"This is a collaborative relationship with Birth Partners in order to enhance the services we offer to our maternity patients," said Mary Ann Bertini, R.N., unit administrator for the Childbirth Center. "The service is in keeping with our Planetree Model of Patient Care that empowers and educates patients to be active participants in their health and well-being."

According to Janet Hall, Birth Partners' founder and director, "A doula works with the woman's partner and medical staff to meet the individual needs of the client and her family. Her continous presence, encouragement, reassurance and practical knowledge of comfort measures and labor enhancing techniques decreases pain and anxiety for the laboring woman."

Information on this birthing option is available to patients in Griffin's Childbirth Center and in Griffin physician offices. Patients can make their own arrangements for this service by calling Birth Partners directly at (203) 729-9963 or by visiting their website at www.birthpartnersdoulas.com