I am coordinating the upcoming doula training session this month near Charleston/Huntington, WV.  It is a DONA-approved course, a two-day workshop, and an optional preconference childbirth education day.  Jamie Swann, Certification Chair of DONA is teaching the workshop and our own childbirth educator (and staff doula), Debi Ellis, is doing the Friday CBE day.

Hello and welcome, to all....

I'm happy to announce that our Dec. 2-3 weekend doula training was a complete success!  The following women completed their training and are eager to begin attending births for doula certification:  Kerry Melton, Cheryl Garcelon, Bonnie Gillenwater, andKate Bissonette.  Many thanks are extended to Julie Huron for being the "doula" for this training session (preparing a menu; buying and cooking the food -- our meals, snacks, and the wine and cheese reception; quietly and efficiently cleaning up after each break.  Wow, what a gift of her time!)  So we now have four wonderful women starting out as doulas and taking a woman-centered message to the public.  It was so nice to have my dear friend, Jamie Swann, with us at the birth center as our trainer.  She is a DONA-approved doula trainer from Roanoke, VA, as well as the Certification Chair for DONA. 

We gathered Saturday morning for a day-long education session.  Then the party began at 6 pm, a wine and cheese reception for members of the local "birth community."  All the WomenCare midwives have taken the opportunity to meet the doulas, and some new friends joined in our fellowship as well (a hospital nurse manager, birth nurse, lay midwife, local chiropractor, plus already-trained and practicing area doulas).  The doulas and some guests enjoyed a great fireside slumber party at the Birth Center on Saturday night.

Sunday's session included many role plays and demonstrations, in the actual birth setting -- in the birthing rooms, on the birth ball, in the jacuzzi ( a "dry run"), by the fireside.  We touched on a multitude of topics that deserved a full training weekend in themselves (such as working with women who have been sexually abused, reflective listening, breastfeeding advocacy and troubleshooting, alternative approaches in health care, ethical dilemmas, small business planning and promotional strategies). Sunday ended with a small meaningful closing ceremony, then we moved over to Putnam General Hospital for a tour of the birthing unit and LDRPs. 

Now we have several initiatives in operation and in planning stages: 

Doula Network Web Site.  The Doula Network has an informative web site up and running, which Kerry Meltonhas been tirelessly circulating far and wide.  Check it out, and let Kerry know if you would like to add any links. 

Doula Network -- Printed Promotional Materials. 
*  A colorful poster naming the Doula Network and the local Charleston area phone number (304-340-1602), as well as the 
   nationwide toll-free number (1-866-55-DOULA). 
*  A trifold brochure announcing the formation of the Doula Network, including general information about doulas and contact 
   numbers for the Network and related organizations.  This brochure is available to anyone in the Network to use as part of a 
   promotional packet.  Individual doulas may add their own contact information to this brochure.
*  Business cards.  Doulas may obtain one printed page of cards from Kerry, as a master copy, printed with the doula's name and 
   contact information, in addition to contact information for the Doula Network.  This master can be used to reprint a larger supply 
   onto card stock for individual distribution and promotion. 
*  A trifold brochure offering consumers Ten Questions to ask of providers (from CIMS -- the Coalition for Improvements in Maternity 
   Services). 
*  A fold-down information bulletin to promote doula care and Network contact information.
*  Front-and-back handouts announcing the Doula Network, including a concise description of doula care.
*  Full four-page handout of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative from CIMS, outlining mother-friendly and woman-centered 
   philosophy of care.

Members of the Doula Network may have a first-run master copy of these materials to use for reprinting on a copier.  We are aiming for quality printing of these materials, so if you would like a supply of your own, please contact Kerry or Angy Nixon.  Save time!  No need to re-create the wheel!  Please keep current by checking and updating your supplies -- we will continue to revise until we are satisfied that we have a professional-looking product with the most current information.  (You may add a line for your personal contact information, if you would like.)

Many thanks to our computer whiz and desktop publisher (Kerry), who has worked on designing, editing, and revising these materials for dissemination of doula and Network information to the public!

Telephone Access. 
The Doula Network has local and nationwide toll-free long distance phone numbers, which are printed on the promotional materials.  The number currently rings in to an answering service, or to WomenCare (depending on the time of day).  Clients requesting doula services, and information calls will be routed to active Doula Network members. 

Press Release Packets.
We are currently preparing a packet for distribution to the media.  It is conceivable that this move will create considerable publicity and interest in Doula Network activity.  We are hopeful that this will be an effective avenue for promoting mother-friendly, woman-centered care in local and regional care centers. 

A list of ideas for placement of promotional materials:  health clubs, grocery stores, employee lounges, baby stores, pharmacies, health food stores, bookstores, boutiques, medical offices (pediatricians, midwifery practices, OB/GYNs, family practitioners, specialists, alternative medicine, urgent care), veterinary offices, dental offices, chiropractor offices, massage therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, hair salons, cosmetology schools, medical assistant schools, massage therapy schools, alternative schools, school nurses, college campuses, furniture stores, childbirth educators, crisis pregnancy centers, churches, health fairs.  Any other ideas??

Future DONA-approved Training Sessions.
I am ready to start planning the next training sessions!  My spirit is renewed and I'm reminded that midwives and doulas have such a special message to give, and such a unique kind of care to provide.  (All the new doulas understood it, too!)  I will probably start another session in January, February, or March.  Please email me if you are still interested in being trained.  And stay tuned for more announcements....

Future Directions.
Areas in which needs are identified: postpartum doulas, breastfeeding support (from lactation consultants to community resources) to whom we can refer, fundraising ideas, scholarships for doula training, volunteer doula programs in hospitals, grantwriting as a non-profit organization, weekend sessions on special topics, continuing education. 

Speaking on behalf of the established local doulas and midwives, I am so excited to welcome these wonderful new doulas, and see the local activity that their enthusiasm will help us all generate.  WomenCare's staff doula, Debi Ellis, is actively mentoring also -- she has such talents to share!  Please help us share the good news about this new Doula Network, and please feel free to continue to send all interested parties our way. 

Changing the world, one woman at a time....

Warmly, 
Angy Nixon

Doula Network of West Virginia and Surrounding Areas
Telephone (304) 340-1602
or toll-free 1-866-55-DOULA

WomenCare & FamilyCare, Inc.
301-6 Great Teays Blvd.
Scott Depot, WV  25560
(304) 757-6999

WomenCare Birth Center
3911 Teays Valley Rd
Hurricane, WV  25526
 
 
 
 
 

Contact Webmaster Kerry at Doula in WV@aol.com