A labor of love is making its way throughout the Chattahoochee Valley. The dedication and passion of a steadily growing force within our community is enhancing, enlightening and empowering women to have supportive pregnancies, satisfying births and successful postpartum bonding with their babies. And special outreach is being directed to our military families. One aspect of this surge is a revisiting of a concept that has been around for generations.

Doulas support mothers-to-be during the birth process.

Whether the mother seeks to give birth with or without medication, or plans a C-section, a doula can provide tremendous support. What is a doula? The answer might not roll off the tip of your tongue. A doula is a specially trained professional labor assistant who provides informational, emotional and physical support to the mother and her birth partner before, during and after the birth of a baby.

A doula is not a midwife. As a trained and objective guide she keeps those present at the birth calm and involved in the birth process. She helps a mother tap into her inner resources and confidence in giving birth. A doula may use massage, music, varied labor positions and relaxation techniques to provide physical comfort.

Childbirth educator and doula Christina Bartholic’s second birth was attended by a doula. “Women should give birth where and how they feel the safest,” said Bartholic. The doula relationship begins with an informal meeting. Two or three subsequent sessions are held to educate the mother and to develop a birth plan that takes into consideration the variables of the labor room. A postpartum visit follows the birth.

Kate Leming knew that her goal was a non-medicated birth. When she relocated to this area in August 2005, she felt fortunate to find Christy Shields, at the time a newly trained doula, to attend to her pregnancy and delivery. Until then, trained doulas had practiced mostly in the Atlanta area. “Christy was an extra set of hands, an experienced set of hands, and believed in my ability to give birth. She was a constant reminder that my body is beautifully designed to do this,” Leming said.

Today, at least six doulas are available in the Valley area. Interest in the profession continues to grow. Local training opportu?nities will soon be available, sponsored by the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association in conjunction with the Continuing Education Department at Columbus State University.

Local mothers are also reaching out to military moms-to-be. “No one should give birth without support, especially women who are giving birth while the fathers are making a great sacrifice for our country and our freedom,” explained Shields, now the Georgia State Coordinator of Operation Special Delivery.

OSD was originally founded in New Jersey as a response to the tragedies of 9/11 and quickly grew to a national program. Following their motto, “A Hand to Hold ‘til They All Come Home,” OSD provides trained, volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners will be deployed at the time they are due to give birth.

An upsurge in referrals is anticipated as Fort Benning units prepare to deploy. “Referrals are not just limited to the Fort Benning area,” said Shields. “Every effort will be made to find a doula for any expectant military mother living outside our area that seeks services.” The OSD website, www.operationspecialdelivery.com, offers in-depth details about the program, along with application instructions.

Need for support does not end once a baby arrives, however. The Birth and Breastfeeding Network (BBN) of Columbus, Fort Benning and Phenix City is a collaboration of women established in August 2006, born out of the desire to help moms and moms-to-be have successful breastfeeding relationships. According to Kate Leming, one of the group’s founders and champions, the heart of the BBN is to respond to the needs and interests of its members.

Leming reports that interest in BBN is blossoming as its numbers continue to grow. They sponsor a nursing moms group, community educational events, breastfeeding luncheons and networking opportunities. The group also maintains a website, columbusbirthnetwork.googlepages.com, packed with resource information on breastfeeding, childbirth education classes, doula resources and other helpful links. An e-newsletter, “This Week in Breastfeeding” keeps members updated regarding pertinent community happenings.

A breastfeeding initiative devoted to military moms is also in the process of being established on Fort Benning, called Mom-2-Mom. This peer-support program is designed to help new mothers have successful breastfeeding experiences with their baby and to maintain a successful breastfeeding relationship. The program matches trained volunteers who have successfully breastfed their own babies with new or expectant mothers who would also like to breastfeed and who have requested a “buddy.”

The goal is to help new mothers over the initial challenges and anxieties associated with breastfeeding. Mothers who plan to return to work will be matched whenever possible with mothers who have successfully done so, providing additional support during the transition from nursing at home to working, pumping and bottle feeding. All Mom-2-Mom volunteers will complete a 7-hour, in-depth training program. A pilot training program is currently under way, and the program will soon be seeking volunteers.

The dedication and passion to empower women to trust their bodies and abilities shared by Operation Special Delivery, The Birth and Breastfeeding Network, Mom-2-Mom and our local doula network represents a growing and valuable momentum within our Valley community.