About Us
The Hospital Birth Doula Program concept was launched by Discover Birth in 2010. Through a collaboration with The Scarborough Hospital in the Greater Toronto Area, a team of 30 doulas came together to launch the first program of its kind in Ontario: a 24/7, 365 day-a-year non-volunteer-based birth doula program. Since then, the program has evolved into a two-tiered model, providing families with the option of either an Apprentice Doula or an Experienced one.
The program is self-funding and sponsored in part by Discover Birth Inc.
How Does the Program Work?
Any Birthing Person who is expecting to deliver at either The
Scarborough Hospital or the Alongside Midwifery Unit (within Markham Stouffville Hospital is eligible for enrollment in our program. Fees are $300 (+HST) for our Apprentice doula option or $1050 (+HST) for an Experienced doula.
Where Did Doulas Come From?
- In centuries past, a laboring person would have had a midwife for the medical role of delivering her baby. Furthermore she would have been surrounded by a large group of women: sisters, friends, neighbours, who would have acted as physical and emotional support to her. These were the first “doulas”. In the late 1970s Drs. Marshall Klaus and John Kennell accidentally discovered the modern day doula when they were doing research in Guatemala. They uncovered the amazing difference it made to have a sympathetic person near the labouring person. They went on to conduct randomized control trial on this support role and the results were dramatic.
Benefits from using a Doula
Help with relaxation – Comforting touch, positioning and other techniques
Increase satisfaction with your birth- Increase satisfaction with your birth
Decrease postpartum depression – Stay with you, no shift changes!
Reduces the need for Pitocin (a labour inducing drug with risks to mother and baby)
Reduces the need for forceps or vacuum extraction
Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Result in shorter labours with fewer complications
Meet our team
Stefanie Antunes
Program Founder/Expeirence Doula
Helena McMann
Doula Manager/ Experience Doula
Nadine Ross
Experienced Doula
Jennifer Rogers
Experience Doula