Now that we've covered some of the more traditional hospital-setting births in Baltimore (here, here, here, here, and here), I thought it would be interesting to move on to some alternative birthing options, including doulas, free-standing birthing centers, and home births. For this article--broken up into three parts--I polled six downtown moms, who gave me feedback on their experiences.

This post focuses specifically on the Birth Companions program at Johns Hopkins.

Johns Hopkins Birth Companions

This program works in conjunction with a traditional hospital birth but with a doula present from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing to assist the mother before, during, and after childbirth. The doulas, who are student nurses, provide this service for free and are not employees of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

I spoke with Karen Tong, who delivered baby Kelsey with a doula from the Birth Companions program just last month, and Deirdre Hoey, who has delivered three children, including one at Hopkins Bayview, with Birth Companions.

In deciding to enlist the help of doulas, Tong, who works at Bayview, said, “I thought it would be a good resource to use, and it was free. I'd heard good things about doulas but wasn't sure exactly what they offered or if I could afford one. This service seemed like a good way to try it out.”

Hoey--whose husband works at the JHU School of Nursing and was already familiar with the program--delivered her first child, Mackenzie, at Hopkins in September 2001. “I welcomed the company for my new experience,” she said. “It was nice to have friendly, familiar face when you are worried in a medical environment.” She used the Birth Companions again for Teagan’s birth at Bayview in October 2003, and Grace’s birth in June 2006.

Both women identified Hopkins as the place they wanted to deliver before they signed up for the Birth Companions program and both felt having a doula present enhanced their experiences. Neither had any criticisms.

“The doulas gave me help on positions, breathing, and interpretations of medical feedback--no diagnosing but help sorting through options. They will help--or not, if you need them to back off--based on your wishes,” Hoey said.

Tong said, “My doula enhanced my delivery experience immensely. She was incredibly kind and helpful.” During labor, “the doula was helpful in keeping me comfortable and more calm. At the end, she was important in managing my anxiety and keeping me focused.”

After the birth, she said, “the doula stayed with me as the doctors finished their work on me, and she made me more calm and comfortable by talking with me, holding my hand, and feeding me ice chips. She was also able to keep me informed as to what was going on with my body and my baby since I couldn't see everything going on.” She said her doula has also been in touch with her since she came home from the hospital.

Finally, Hoey said, “It is always good to have someone who knows what they are doing next to you in a medical environment. It makes it a more personal experience. Doulas spend time helping you understand information, and show you ways to deal with labor. I highly recommend them.”

…

Read Part 1 (Johns Hopkins) here, Part 2 (GBMC) here, Part 3 (Mercy) here, Part 4 (St. Joseph's) here, and Part 5 (Sinai) here.