Chatham Hospital Recruiting New Volunteer Birth Assistants
• Hispanic Health Initiative’s Doula Program has 12 open slots for March training session
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 7, 2006
SILER CITY, N.C. — Chatham Hospital today announced that it is actively recruiting new volunteer birth coaches to join the Doula Program sponsored by the hospital’s Hispanic Health Initiative. A total of 12 volunteers will be accepted for training that is scheduled for March 24-26—preparing them to support expectant mothers before, during and after their pregnancy.
The training sessions will be conducted by an instructor from Doulas International, an organization that promotes the use of doulas (birth assistants) to help a woman and her family through labor and delivery. Numerous studies have shown that doulas greatly improve obstetrical outcomes. Women using doulas tend to have shorter labor and fewer cesareans. In addition, they are more likely to interact closely with their infants and are less likely to have postpartum depression.
To join the Chatham Hospital doula program, volunteers must reside in Chatham County and must agree to support at least three pregnant women during 2006 and another three in 2007. Once they have completed their initial three-day training, participants will be offered the opportunity to work toward formal certification from Doulas International. Certification involves classroom work, out-of-class reading and study, and real-world experience supporting mothers during delivery.
Those interested in applying to become a volunteer in the program are encouraged to contact Alexis Amsterdam, director of programs, Hispanic Health Initiative, at 919-663-2005 to set up an interview.
For more information on the Chatham Hospital Hispanic Health Initiative and Doula Program, visit www.chathamhospital.org.
