Doula Angels are working within Amterdam, Haarlem and Rotterdam region

CONTINUITY OF CARE WHEN YOUR BIRTH IS HANDED OVER FROM FIRST LINE TO SECOND LINE MIDWIFERY CARE

Sometimes, the midwives from your trusted practice may not be able to accompany you throughout your pregnancy, as much as they and you would like.

Recently released figures indicate that the national average referral rate is around 80% for women expecting their first child. This means that pregnant women are transferred to the hospital before or during delivery, often for relatively uncomplicated medical reasons. This percentage is much lower in some primary care midwifery practices because these midwives tend to stay with a delivery earlier and longer than average. This is mainly due to the organization of care within their own practice. However, if multiple women are in labor simultaneously, it may not always be possible. This implies that if you are referred to the hospital, you may miss the familiarity and support of your own trusted midwife.

Verloskundigen Amsterdam Zuid have launched an unique initiative together with Doula Academie in the Summer of 2023. Doula Angels are there for you and your partner during a clinical birth of your baby. Due to major demand, more and more practices have decided to join this unique concept. In several practices within Amsterdam, Haarlem and Rotterdam region you can ask for Doula Angel now, or in the near future.

A Doula Angel provides maximum support to instill confidence in you (and your birth partner) throughout the childbirth process and your own strength. She does this with physical and emotional support, exactly as you desire. She steps in when the midwife from your own midwifery practice can no longer accompany you during your pregnancy and/or childbirth.

All Doula Angels have completed additional clinical doula training at the Doula Academie (based in Monnickendam), enabling them to assist you in communicating in both English and Dutch clinical language with the medical team. In addition, these doulas know specifically how to navigate labor with pain medication and can provide significant emotional support during unforeseen medical interventions that you may not have anticipated upon.

When the Doula Angel has free hands, she can capture photos of the birthing process and keep a timeline of your labor. The Doula Angel also assesses what your birth partner needs and will never replace their role but rather serve as a complementary member to the entire birthing team.

What is comprised in a Doula package?

• A prenatal session of one and a half hours at your home (starting from week 34) or at your own midwifery practice. One of the Doula Angels will assist you in creating a customized birth plan and answer your questions. She will briefly demonstrate comfortable positions, massages, and breathing techniques during the early stages of labor.
• Continuous support by the on-call Doula Angel during the active phase of labour in the hospital until approximately one and a half hours after the birth of your baby.
• A free online follow-up discussion (via FaceTime or Zoom) or a personal postpartum visit at your home (for an additional fee of €75, including VAT). This conversation takes place approximately 14 days after delivery. The Doula Angel who attended your birth will also conduct the follow-up discussion.
• The cost is €800,- including VAT, of which the doula is paid for her support during your childbirth and a portion is allocated to her colleagues who are on call with her. Another portion of this amount is automatically refunded to the midwifery practice. This €100,- can then be used by the midwifery practice to support other pregnant women who need it most. This way, both you as the pregnant woman and we as doula's contribute our share!

How does it work?

You can express your interest to one of the midwives in your midwifery practice participating in the Doula Angels program when you've been informed that the care for your pregnancy is being transferred to the hospital. They will connect you with the Doula Angels to schedule a prenatal session.

From week 38 to week 42 of your pregnancy, the Doula Angels are on call for you. When labour begins, you call the phone number provided to you. The on-call Doula Angel will then contact you (via the app or phone) and come to the hospital to support you during the active phase of labor.

You can even enlist a Doula Angel at the last minute! So, if you unexpectedly require medical assistance (after 38 weeks) and want the immediate help of a Doula Angel at your hospital bed: we are here for you and will swiftly fly your way!