OUR BIRTHWORKERS
Doula – A woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family after childbirth. Historically, the responsibility of “doula” was that of sisters, mothers, aunties; women who were part of the community and experienced in the journey of pregnancy, birth, and baby care. At Mamatoto Village we are honored to continue that tradition. Before we knew that some choose being a doula as a career, we were doulas to our friends and sisters. We were doulas in service to our community. It is our greatest hope that the families we work with feel the spirit of that intention.
At Mamatoto Village, we refer to the women who offer support for birthing families in Washington DC Metro Area, Community Birth Workers. As an emerging member of the maternity team, CBWs fill in systemic gaps in care. Their role is strictly non-clinical, allowing them to focus instead on the emotional, educational, and physical needs of the mother and her partner. CBWs provide a sense of continuity in the mother’s care that is typically lost in a large institutional setting. Provider shift changes, rotating on-call schedules, and the myriad of other new faces that expectant parents must navigate can be overwhelming at a vulnerable time. The CBWs presence is a reassuring constant in the midst of what is essentially a challenging and transformative, though too often stressful, experience.
CBWs provide a range of comfort measures for the laboring woman, including massage, assistance with relaxation techniques, and more. They encourage the mother while including the partner in support efforts, helping him/her/them to participate as desired. CBWs encourage their clients to engage in informed decision making with health care providers, helping provide information and a full range of options so that parents claim responsibility for their choices. Their role is non-adversarial and CBWs do not give medical advice. Before, during, and after birth, CBWs attempt to meet the educational needs of clients, including teaching coping techniques, assisting with development of a birth plan, and providing evidence-based information on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care topics.
CBWs attend births in a variety of settings: hospitals, birth centers, and at home. Our services include prenatal care provider consultation, labor support and postpartum care services. Our staff Community Birth Workers are trained and certified and receive additional training to ensure a consistent philosophy and standard of practice. Additionally, the variety of CBWs we offer allows each family to find a perfect match for their individual needs.
At Mamatoto Village, we refer to the women who offer support for birthing families in Washington DC Metro Area, Community Birth Workers. As an emerging member of the maternity team, CBWs fill in systemic gaps in care. Their role is strictly non-clinical, allowing them to focus instead on the emotional, educational, and physical needs of the mother and her partner. CBWs provide a sense of continuity in the mother’s care that is typically lost in a large institutional setting. Provider shift changes, rotating on-call schedules, and the myriad of other new faces that expectant parents must navigate can be overwhelming at a vulnerable time. The CBWs presence is a reassuring constant in the midst of what is essentially a challenging and transformative, though too often stressful, experience.
CBWs provide a range of comfort measures for the laboring woman, including massage, assistance with relaxation techniques, and more. They encourage the mother while including the partner in support efforts, helping him/her/them to participate as desired. CBWs encourage their clients to engage in informed decision making with health care providers, helping provide information and a full range of options so that parents claim responsibility for their choices. Their role is non-adversarial and CBWs do not give medical advice. Before, during, and after birth, CBWs attempt to meet the educational needs of clients, including teaching coping techniques, assisting with development of a birth plan, and providing evidence-based information on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care topics.
CBWs attend births in a variety of settings: hospitals, birth centers, and at home. Our services include prenatal care provider consultation, labor support and postpartum care services. Our staff Community Birth Workers are trained and certified and receive additional training to ensure a consistent philosophy and standard of practice. Additionally, the variety of CBWs we offer allows each family to find a perfect match for their individual needs.
