About Us
The Birth Doula Program
We serve clients delivering at The Scarborough Health Network and Markham Stouffville Hospital. The Hospital Birth Doula Program concept was launched by Discover Birth in 2010. Through a collaboration with The Scarborough Hospital 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 2010
“Our team is comprised of many wonderful doulas who are here to make your birth a special and memorable day. They are all members of the Association of Ontario Doulas. You can rest assured you are in good hands.“
Our Mission & Vision
We’re here to provide the ‘village of support’ that is so necessary for families in today’s world. In addition to great medical care, families need emotional, physical and information support to complete their team. Doulas also provide:
Support duing pregnancy through prenatal visits
CONTINUOUS care during labour
Support for other family members
Where did doulas come from?
In centuries past, a laboring person would have had a midwife for the medical role of delivering her baby. She ALSO 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:
Reduced Interventions
When a doula is present people are less likely to request or need pain medication, interventions, or cesareans.
Healthier Babies
When a doula is present babies are less likely to go to the NICU, have higher APGAR scores and are more likely to be breastfed.
Healthier Postpartum Periods
When a doula is present people are more likely to feel satisfied with their birth experience, and less likely to experience perinatal mood disorders.
Why a Doula Program?
The journey of birth profoundly affects birthing people, their babies, and their families. The evidence is clear that doulas offer valuable and beneficial support to families. This benefits not only the family, but also our healthcare system.
Doulas reduce intervention
Doulas increase birth satisfaction
Doulas SAVE our healthcare system money!
Why Chooose Us
We’ve supported hundreds of satisfied families through our program. While you can certainly hire a private doula, here are some of the benefits of working with our program:
We work very collaboratively with the medical staff who know us well
We offer both an apprentice and experienced doula program
We have large management team and a team of doulas who support each other with back-up
WE'RE HERE
Serving Markham Stouffville and the Scarborough Health Network
Monday to Friday : 9am – 8pm
Saturday : urgent inquiries only
Sunday : urgent inquiries only