Welcome to Chico Doula Circle! Congratulations on your pregnancy, and we hope you are feeling well and healthy. Pregnancy is an exciting time of growth and change. Baby names, birth plans, nursery themes, baby showers, pre-natal care, post-partum care...there are so many things to consider and decide upon! Our hope is that your interest in doula care will assist in leading you to a positive birth experience.
~Mission Statement~
The Chico Doula Circle is a group of trained women providing shared on-call birth support services to the North State. We are women of strength, heart, and integrity committed to helping families have safe and satisfying birth experiences. We use our heart and hands to provide physical comfort measures and support, and our knowledge to help guide you to your best birth.
~Benefits of Doula Care~
The purpose of doula care is to promote the mental and physical health of mother, baby and family by providing continuous emotional and physical support. In times of uncertainty and doubt, the doula also assists in gathering the information necessary for the woman and her partner to make informed decisions during labor and birth.
Meta-analysis of continuous labor support trials conducted in North America, Europe, and Africa, compared to women receiving usual care, shows that women cared for by a birth doula are*:
*Hodnett E, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003. Issue 3, Art. No. CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.
Meta-analysis of continuous labor support trials conducted in North America, Europe, and Africa, compared to women receiving usual care, shows that women cared for by a birth doula are*:
- 28% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
- 31% less likely to use synthetic oxytocin (pitocin) to speed up labor
- 9% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia (epidural and/or IV pain medications)
- 34% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience
- Enhance early mother-infant relations and breastfeeding
- Improve satisfaction with birth experiences and improve self-esteem for mother and partner
*Hodnett E, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003. Issue 3, Art. No. CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.
"I firmly believe that any birth can be improved by a doula's presence, either in person or just before or even just after. It is such a vulnerable, strange time in a woman's experience; it really helps to have that support in place that has no agenda other than helping Mama and baby be good and healthy."
~E, Willows
~E, Willows
~Circle Code of Conduct~
The founding members of the Chico Doula Circle came together with a shared vision and desire to facilitate positive birth experiences in our community. In pursuit of this goal, we adhere to DONA International's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
DONA International's Standards of Practice define a doula's role. Our Standards of Practice clearly define our scope of practice, continuity of care provisions, and training requirements. The Standards of Practice are designed to provide doulas the framework necessary to provide a valuable and appropriate service to the birthing family.
DONA International’s Code of Ethics sets high standards. Our Code of Ethics guides us to practice with honesty and respect by clearly defining our ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, the profession, and society. The Code of Ethics requires doulas to maintain high standards of personal integrity and professional competence and practice.
DONA International's Standards of Practice define a doula's role. Our Standards of Practice clearly define our scope of practice, continuity of care provisions, and training requirements. The Standards of Practice are designed to provide doulas the framework necessary to provide a valuable and appropriate service to the birthing family.
DONA International’s Code of Ethics sets high standards. Our Code of Ethics guides us to practice with honesty and respect by clearly defining our ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, the profession, and society. The Code of Ethics requires doulas to maintain high standards of personal integrity and professional competence and practice.
The DONA webpage provides information for expecting parents, birth doulas, and post-partum doulas.
