Doula Program
Supporting Your Birthing Experience
The Birth Place at Albany Medical Center is proud to offer support from doulas, as part of your health care team, during your birthing experience.
Our goal is to provide additional support for our patients and families in The Birth Place. Childbirth, especially for first-time parents, can be exciting and stressful. Doulas expand our commitment to enhancing patient experience in a way that is safe, qualitative, and equitable for all.
Albany Medical Center doulas may be available to support you before and after birth.
Please let a member of your health care team know if you are interested in having a consultation with one of our doulas.
What Is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who supports families through the experiences of having a baby. They provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the patient before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience as possible.
What do doulas offer?
- Physical Support:
- Position ideas for comfort and labor progression
- Hands-on measures like comforting touch, counter pressure, and breathing techniques
- The doulas are certified lactation counselors who can provide breastfeeding guidance
- Educational Support:
- Provide information to help patients make informed decisions about their care
- Help birthing people incorporate changes in their birth plans, if needed
- The doulas are certified childbirth educators and can answer questions about the birthing process
- Emotional Support:
- Help families feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth
- Provide information to help empower patients and feel content with their experience
- Partner Support:
- Support birthing partners in being as involved as they would like to be during birth
- Postpartum Support:
- Check-in with patients and partners after birth, if requested
Doulas do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, and they do not perform clinical or medical tasks.