ARIZONA NEWS

Banner hospital launches new doula program for expecting moms

Aug 1, 2019, 4:45 AM | Updated: 9:47 pm

Alyssa Leon has been a doula in the Valley for six years. (KTAR News/Griselda Zetino)...

Alyssa Leon has been a doula in the Valley for six years. (KTAR News/Griselda Zetino)

(KTAR News/Griselda Zetino)

PHOENIX — Expecting moms will be able to have doulas help them through labor at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.

The hospital is welcoming doulas as part of its new Banner Doula Program.

“A doula is a non-medical support person that provides support to moms through their pregnancy, their labor and postpartum period,” said Alyssa Leon, who’s been a doula in the Valley for six years.

She added doulas provide prenatal education and resources to moms while they’re pregnant. Once they go into labor, the doulas help them transition to their birthplace, such as a hospital. They then stay with the moms a few hours after the birth and check in after the moms and their babies go home.

“We’re able to support them through such a vulnerable time,” Leon said. “When we’re able to give them a voice and teach them tools to advocate for themselves, it helps their postpartum period.”

Leon attended an event Tuesday at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix where the new doula program was introduced.

She said she’s happy to hear doulas like her will now be able to be with moms as they’re having their babies, including in operating rooms for moms having a C-section.

“When it is medically necessary to have a cesarean, with doulas being able to go into the OR to support them, we’re able to continue that continuity of care,” she said.

Christina Tussey, a clinical nurse specialist with Banner Health, said the growing popularity of doulas is one reason why the hospital launched this program.

“There’s an increasing number of patients seeking out or hiring doulas in the community to help them with the labor support,” she said. “We recognize that and we want to be collaborative with them and work together with them.”

Banner Del E. Webb in Sun City West launched a similar doula program last year.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Tempe City Hall...

KTAR.com

Maricopa County approves $10.8 million for affordable housing in Tempe

Tempe is planning a new development with $10.8 million in funding from Maricopa County.

6 hours ago

An Arizona woman got a huge shock when surveillance footage showed the thief who stole her backyard...

Associated Press

Fox snatcher: Footage shows furry intruder swiped cameras from Arizona backyard

An Arizona woman got a huge shock when surveillance footage showed the thief who stole her backyard cameras was four-legged and fluffy-tailed.

9 hours ago

A man died and a suspect was on the loose after an early morning shooting in Phoenix on Dec. 8, 202...

KTAR.com

1 dead, suspect unknown after early morning shooting in Phoenix

A man died and a suspect was on the loose after an early morning shooting in Phoenix on Friday, authorities said.

10 hours ago

Two immigrants from Ecuador walk past a sign showing the mileage to Why and Gila Bend after crossin...

Kevin Stone

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs unveils border security initiative, pushes President Joe Biden to act

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs unveiled Operation SECURE, an initiative to mobilize state resources to address border security issues.

11 hours ago

Immigrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico ...

Jim Sharpe

I’m suffering from BCM: Border Cynicism Syndrome

KTAR News host Jim Sharpe is cynical of tangible solutions coming to the border situation at Arizona's Lukeville Port of Entry and beyond.

12 hours ago

Migrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico bo...

Kevin Stone

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to assess shuttered Lukeville Port of Entry in person

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said she plans to visit Lukeville on Saturday to assess the situation after federal officials closed the port of entry there.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @iamdamonallred...

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

Follow @KTAR923...

West Hunsaker at Morris Hall supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR's Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

Banner hospital launches new doula program for expecting moms