Doula services for Fetal Demise, Miscarriage, Stillbirth

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

A friend of mine and I (both OB RN's with over 15 years of experience together) are thinking about offering doula/labor support for women who are going to labor (or D&C) with a known demise, miscarriage or labor where the mom knows the baby is not compatable with life and chooses to give birth.

Are there any services like that out there now? We would like to talk to someone who has experience with the business end of this.

We are trying to figure out reimbursement for the services.

What we would like to offer is labor support (not as the nurse), answer questions about what to expect, emotional support for mother and father, etc. All the things the floor nurse wishes she had more time to do. We would offer follow-up services as well.

I attended a Perinatal Berevement Seminar recently and there was a panal of mothers who spoke about there loss. The mother that struck me the most, was the one that had a miscarriage. She had 3 D&C's and everyone treated her like it was "just a surgery" after each one. She just needed someone there to help her morn her pregnancy loss.

Does anyone know of services like this. What do you think of the idea.

Susan

[land64shark]

This is a rather timely post for me. I just went to an in-service at the hospital on Thursday that was being offered to the OB nurses about exactly what you are talking about. The woman who spoke was a fetal demise doula. She works for a non-profit outfit and they are all volunteers. The service is completely free. The hospital and/or doctors make the referrel. There is no need for a prior relationship. It is apparently very successful (for lack of a better word).

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Not sure this will be be helpful but looking at it from a strictly business side (and I am in no way negating the huge loss of a pregnancy), hospitals want patients in and out. Marketing this from a case management standpoint might be the way to go. Also - if you are advanced practice nurses you can get reimbursed via insurance. Another option would be to get credentialled in your local hospitals and then work with Pastoral Care and/or social workers and case managers to get your foot in the door.

[MamaMadge, ADN, BSN]

At our Hospital and around this region (No. Calif.) there is a group called Resolve Through Sharing or RTS. RN's and/or anyone who works in Maternity (such as aides, Techs etc.) can go through the RTS training. We have printed materials, keepsakes, take pictures (when appropriate), snf much more, but most of all a caring person to talk to that will NOT say "It's OK, you can always have another baby!" The staff that is trained to do this gives the same TLC to a mom with an 8 week miscarriage as to a mom with a term fetal demise. It's a great program. I don't know if maybe they have a website where you could get in touch with someone in your area. Otherwise, you might have to start from scratch. It will be well worth it! Best of luck!

[babycatcher2B]

Why not go ahead and certify with DONA as a birth and PP doula just to get those letters after your name. With your CEUs from the Berevement workshop you'd be on your way to developing some qualifications. As your business would be different than that of a regular birth doula you could distribute your information to your local L&D units and let them know you'd be available to referral in the event of an IUFD, still birth, etc. I'd also suggest taking your biz card to OB and midwife practices to let them know what you're up to. That way if they have a pt. with a known FD or miscarriage they could hook you up with the moms beforehand.

I think that what you want to do is a great thing. Good luck with it!

[BonnieSc]

Why not go ahead and certify with DONA as a birth and PP doula just to get those letters after your name.

...or ALACE, or CAPPA, or any of the other fine doula programs...

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

There are some organizations that offer services like bereavement photography. I don't know if their services are volunteer or if they are paid for their time, but it might be worthwhile to find out how their services are provided. Unfortunately I can't think of any of the names of the groups:) You could probably google it and get some info.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is the group in this area that offers free bereavement photography. The photographers are all volunteer their services. At this point in our lives we just can't afford to volunteer that much time.

Thanks for the thought.

Susan

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

Where I work (in NICU) we have a group founded by a family who had lost a baby in our unit about 20 years ago. They have fundraisers (dinners, golf outings, raffles, etc) throughout the year to raise money and then with the money they purchase memory boxes for families who lose a baby, put together welcome kits for every baby admitted and also serve as a support group for all families with babies in NICU. They also buy us things when we need them (copy machine, refridgerator for break room, etc.). Maybe you could find out if any of your local hospitals have anything similar that could help pay for doula services for these moms.

That's a good idea. We will look into that.

Thanks,

Susan

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

This is a rather timely post for me. I just went to an in-service at the hospital on Thursday that was being offered to the OB nurses about exactly what you are talking about. The woman who spoke was a fetal demise doula. She works for a non-profit outfit and they are all volunteers. The service is completely free. The hospital and/or doctors make the referrel. There is no need for a prior relationship. It is apparently very successful (for lack of a better word).

Could you give me the name of the non-profit group that does this? I would love to talk to them about how they got started, where they get funding, how they manage, etc. You can send a private message to me if you don't feel comfortable putting their info on the internet.

Thanks,

Susan

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

Not sure this will be be helpful but looking at it from a strictly business side (and I am in no way negating the huge loss of a pregnancy), hospitals want patients in and out. Marketing this from a case management standpoint might be the way to go. Also - if you are advanced practice nurses you can get reimbursed via insurance. Another option would be to get credentialled in your local hospitals and then work with Pastoral Care and/or social workers and case managers to get your foot in the door.

Thank you. These are just the ideas we are looking for.

Susan

[land64shark]

Could you give me the name of the non-profit group that does this? I would love to talk to them about how they got started, where they get funding, how they manage, etc. You can send a private message to me if you don't feel comfortable putting their info on the internet.

Thanks,

Susan

Suzie,

I'm pretty sure it was Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. This is the Clearwater area.

[SuzieQ_Scrapper]

Suzie,

I'm pretty sure it was Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. This is the Clearwater area.

Thanks for the info--I will try to look them up.

Susan

[JoniL&DRN]

OK I haven't made it through the entire thread because I don't have time, but... our hospital provides a free doula service to all laboring mothers. This would apply to any labor, miscarriage, demise or otherwise. I have often wondered why more RN's DON'T use these trained women to help in this very difficult situation but they usually don't. I love this idea and as a woman who has experienced a demise herself I would have appreciated this kind of care very much...