"The continuous availability of a caregiver to provide psychological support and comfort should be a key component of all intrapartum care programs"
Guidelines on Dystocia. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, 1995.
Local partners in supporting women and their families:
PALS Doulas
PALS Doulas is a membership organization dedicated to the development of the doula profession and supporting its members. The primary mission of the doula profession is to positively impact the childbearing experience for women and their families. Fundamental to doula care is the understanding that continuous emotional support and reassurance during labor and birth improves and enhances maternal satisfaction.
Seattle Midwifery School
Seattle Midwifery School provides information and educational services that support women’s acquisition of knowledge and skills to improve and sustain their health and well-being. The school provides training for women’s health-care providers, particularly midwives and doulas, that honors women’s ways of knowing, respects the needs of adult learners, and promotes personal and professional development. They are dedicated to the development and advancement of the profession of midwifery in North America.
http://www.seattlemidwifery.org
The Birth Attendants
The Birth Attendants,as doulas, provide educational, emotional and physical support to empower incarcerated pregnant and post-partum women. We envision a just and safe world where women are empowered to make choices for themselves and their families, a world where services are directed toward health and well-being and encompass support and restoration for families and communities. The Birth Attendants is a non-profit organization working to restore health and justice into communities in western Washington State.
http://www.birthattendants.com
WithinReach
Formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Washington State, WithinReach provides essential resources for family health.
Great Starts Birth & Family Education
Great Starts, born of a merger between Childbirth Education Association of Seattle and Birth Education Northwest, is a non-profit organization offering community-based education and support to expectant families and new parents. Their classes contribute to a positive birth and parenting experience by preparing the expectant family for the physical and emotional aspects of labor and the early weeks with a new baby. They teach about the wide range of options available to families and about informed choices and help parents learn how to advocate for their needs and the needs of their child.
Parenthelp123.org
Parenthelp123.org, a program of Within Reach, helps Washington State families apply for health and food programs online, and locate resources in their local communities. The website has health information for pregnant women, parents of new babies, and families with children.
Breastfeeding Coalition of WA
The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington website is a resource for local breastfeeding coalitions, other allied organizations and the general public. With a focus on Washington State, they hope to keep you informed about breastfeeding promotion, legislation, research, conferences and more.
http://www.breastfeedingwa.org
Northwest Association for Postpartum Support
To provide nurturing doula care for all mothers and families after birth by establishing for our members: peer support, referral services, continuing education, professional standards and credibility, and visibility in the community.
Breastfeeding Support Services at Community Birth & Family Center
Provides lactation services to anyone in need of support or care. Breastfeeding services are provided by nurse lactation counselors formerly of Great Starts Birth & Family Education. (206) 615-8078.
