Bayhealth hosts open house for doulas and birth workers

A new Delaware law that went into effect Jan. 1 requires some insurance companies to pay for doula services for expectant mothers. Bayhealth hosted an open house Jan. 24 to welcome doulas and birth workers, and give tours of maternity departments at both Kent and Sussex campuses.

Doulas are professional birth coaches who provide emotional, informational, physical and mental support to women during the prenatal, birth and postpartum periods of pregnancy. While they do not provide medical care, they are knowledgeable about childbirth and support the mother leading up to and during childbirth, including assisting with pain management during birth, helping understand medical lingo, creating a calming environment and more.

“While we have been welcoming doulas for some time at the mother’s request to provide extra support to our maternity patients during childbirth, we expect the number of doula-supported births to grow as a result of this new law,” said Kathryn Starr Lynch, BSN, RNC-OB, senior nurse manager of the Bayhealth Kent Campus Birth Center, and Women’s and Children’s Services. “The open house was a way to welcome them warmly to our birthing units at both Kent and Sussex and to familiarize them with the department and our staff.”

For more information about doulas, go to ACOG.org and to learn more about the birthing center, go to Bayhealth.org/Womens-and-Childrens.