QUE ES UNA DOULA
What is a doula? A doula is a trained companion who supports another individual through a significant health-related experience, such as childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth. A doula may also provide support to the client's partner, family, and friends. The doula's goal, and role, is to help the client feel safe and comfortable, complementing the role of the healthcare professionals who provide the client's medical care.
What is a SisterWeb Community Doula? SisterWeb Community Doulas provide intensive support to families throughout pregnancy, during labor and birth, and in the early months of parenting in communities that face high risks of negative birth and infant developmental outcomes. SisterWeb “Community Doulas” are of and from the communities supported by our organization and hold a vested interest in the well being of our clients. SisterWeb Community Doulas offer culturally concordant peer-to-peer support that focuses on the perinatal year and the early months of parenting, a sensitive period in which families have a unique openness to change, learning and growth. This represents a new approach to perinatal support: one that makes use of the power of relationships and the power of birth. The presence and involvement of community doulas, and the flexibility in the scope of the role, distinguishes them from all other home visiting models and from fee-based and volunteer doula models. SisterWeb Community Doulas do not just provide full-spectrum, wrap-around support. They also grow the trust and involvement that encourages people to come together and collectively address their health, wellness, and family resiliency.
Do I really need a SisterWeb Community Doula if I have a great doctor or midwife? SisterWeb Community Doulas complement the care provided by doctors and midwives, making them an integral part of the healthcare team. SisterWeb Community Doulas are able to help clients with creating a customized birth plan, support transitioning to parenthood, promote advocacy and self-empowerment, and provide education on coping techniques for pain management. Meanwhile, doctors and midwives are able to provide referrals to specialists as needed, provide medical care, and sometimes prescribe medications.
I’m not sure that I want a “stranger” in the delivery room with me. Isn’t birth supposed to be private? SisterWeb Community Doulas and clients get to know one another deeply during four prenatal appointments that occur before labor and birth. During these appointments, clients express their needs for birth, and SisterWeb Community Doulas can share how they can support the client in a way that respects and honors their desired experiences, building rapport and trust.
How can my partner, family member, or friend be involved in the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum process even if I have a SisterWeb Community Doula? Given the collaborative and non-exclusionary nature of their work, SisterWeb Community Doulas promote working together as a team. They will have open conversations early in pregnancy with partners, family members, or friends around how everyone can best support the birthing person. They will be a resource to those supporting the birthing person by providing them information and a non-judgemental space to ask questions. The doula will also tend to the wellbeing of all involved during labor.
How can my SisterWeb community doula help with breast/ chest/ body feeding? During the prenatal period, doulas help clients understand the logistics of breastfeeding, including latch initiation at birth and the importance of positioning and ergonomics. They also guide clients through the myths and realities of breastfeeding, offering practical tips such as milk storage and feeding schedules. During postpartum, doulas perform visual assessments when clients discuss breastfeeding challenges, listening to the baby's sucking and checking the parent's and baby's positioning. They offer tips to make breastfeeding more comfortable, providing reassurance and support as needed. If necessary, doulas refer clients to specialized resources, such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or peer support, especially if specific issues arise that require expert attention. Doulas also address other feeding methods using human milk, such as hand expression, spoon-feeding, syringe-feeding, and the use of Supplemental Nursing Systems (SNS) or cups. They discuss what breastfeeding might look like when clients return to work, including self-advocacy, understanding relevant laws, and planning a pumping schedule. Throughout the breastfeeding journey, doulas celebrate milestones, affirm decisions, and help build confidence, while supporting challenges and recognizing cultural practices, including healing family recipes and foods. They also involve partners, emphasizing their importance in both the breastfeeding and overall parenting journey. Nutrition and hydration are key focuses, with doulas encouraging clients to increase their caloric intake through foods like protein-rich options such as bone broth, beans, and fennel seed cookies. Doulas also remind clients about diaper output and input as indicators of their newborn’s health, and explain the principles of supply and demand in breastfeeding, highlighting how suckling stimulates milk production through prolactin, while oxytocin helps release milk through the let-down reflex.
Can my SisterWeb Community Doula advocate for me at my birth? SisterWeb Community Doulas empower clients to advocate for themselves and also advocate for the client by honoring their birth preferences and wishes. One way doulas do this is by using the tool “B.R.A.I.N.” when communicating with providers. In addition, SisterWeb Community Doulas have close partnerships with healthcare providers through the Champion Dyad Initiative (CDI) program. The partnership allows for SisterWeb Community Doulas and healthcare teams to work together as a quality improvement tool to ensure that all birthing people of color receive respectful and equitable treatment during their births and pregnancies.
What is SisterWeb’s client eligibility criteria? Identify as Black/ African American Be 34 weeks pregnant or less Opt-in for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support Receive care in San Francisco and plan to birth in San Francisco Live in the following areas: Peninsula: Daly City, Pacifica, Millbrae, South San Francisco San Bruno, Burlingame, Foster City, San Mateo East Bay: Castro Valley, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Alameda, Emeryville, Berkeley, Richmond, Albany, El Cerrito North Bay: Marin, Tiburon, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Larkspur
How do I submit a referral to get a SisterWeb Community Doula? Copy and paste the following link to submit a referral for yourself or someone else: https://compyle.clearimpact.com/#/public/survey/B46A549E-7A96-4FD3-B4CB-76A3D03EF040
Do I have to pay to receive support from a SisterWeb Community Doula? No, SisterWeb’s Community doula care and support is 100% free.
How long do we have with our Sisterweb Community Doula? SisterWeb Community Doulas provide care from the moment you connect with them during pregnancy, throughout the process labor and birth, and up to eight weeks postpartum.
How do I find a doula if I’m not eligible for a SisterWeb Community Doula? If you’re not eligible to get a SisterWeb Community doula, check out our resource page for other community based doulas and organizations that may be able to support you during your journey.