Doula assisting with pregnancy

Discover Doulas

You’ll find exceptional support for your pregnancy at Community, but it never hurts to have an extra helping hand. Doulas are birth professionals who are trained in physical, emotional and informational support during the childbirth process. No matter what your pregnancy plan looks like, a doula is a helpful addition to any care team.

An exceptional birth experience for each family is our goal. How this is defined varies from one family to another. We know that childbirth is a milestone event in your life. We want the memories to be good ones!

Some families find the addition of a doula to the healthcare team to be extremely helpful. Doulas are birth professionals who are trained in physical, emotional and informational support during the birth process. The doula program at Community Health Network has been in place since 1997. Community birth doulas are a well-known and respected part of our healthcare team.

How Do I Get a Doula?

Clients are encouraged to request and pay for a birth doula at 28 weeks gestation. The cost for doula services is $500 and includes a prenatal appointment, continuous labor support beginning at active labor, and a postpartum visit. Once payment has been confirmed and enrollment is complete, your doula will contact you directly to schedule the prenatal appointment for 34-36 weeks gestation. The doula then becomes an additional resource to you during the end of your pregnancy through phone or email; she will be the doula scheduled to attend your delivery.

During Labor and Delivery

The doula assigned to you will be with you at the birth. When the birthing person thinks that labor may be beginning, they call the doula. The doula can give suggestions on how to work with the labor before going to the hospital. If extraordinary circumstances prevent your doula from attending the birth, a back-up doula is available. The doula will join the family at the hospital to help throughout the labor and birth experience, including one to two hours following the birth. The completion of services is a follow-up visit or phone call to discuss the birth and how events unfolded.

Who Do Doulas Benefit?

A doula is of particular value to families who are considering having the birth without an epidural, but other families may want services to get them as far into their labor as they can before an epidural is placed. Having a doula does not change any of the options available to you for pain management in labor. Doulas are also of benefit to families that are in need of extra support during a time marked not only by joy, but also unusual circumstances that increase the stress of the experience.

Getting Started

The doulas of Community Health Network look forward to helping you achieve a rewarding, healthy birth experience. We currently serve Community Hospitals North, East, South, Anderson and Howard. To begin the process, fill out the Doula Interest Form online below. Applications will be accepted beginning at 28 weeks' gestation. Exception: If you are at risk of delivery of premature infant(s), you may apply as early as 24 weeks. Please allow 10 business days for processing.

Doula Interest Form

Completion of childbirth education classes is required to participate in the doula program. First-time parents may choose from the "Birth and Baby Virtual" or "Birth and Baby Express Virtual" classes. "Natural Labor Virtual Discussion" and "Breastfeeding Basics" are also strongly recommended for first-time parents. Refresher classes are available for parents who have already given birth.

Class Descriptions and Register

For additional questions, please contact the Childbirth Education and Birth Doula Services Department at 317-621-2396. We look forward to serving you!