About our Program

1997: The Birth Companions Program was started by nursing students interested in doula care. Faculty members offered the training and students providedon-call doula services at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

1998: A two-credit clinical course was taught by a trainer certified by the Doulas of North America (DONA). The course taught theories of maternal and community health nursing and the use of supportive techniques during childbirth, such as massage, breathing methods, different body positions, cold compresses, hot showers, and birthing balls.

Students learn about post-partum health, infant care, and breastfeeding. They learn to communicate with doctors and nurses about a mother’s birth plan and help identifyother community resources for women.

Today: To receive credit for the course “Community Perspectives on the Childbearing Process," students must provide doula care to one client, giving a prenatal and a postpartum visit to the mother and attending her labor and birth at the hospital of the mother's choosing in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Students who choose to take on additional clients are paid for their services through theCommunity Outreach program.

Serving 40-50 women a year, the Birth Companions Program is free-of-charge and provided to anyone requesting the service. Women or health care providers may call the telephone referral line at (410) 614-6458 for information in English and Spanish.

For more information, read the article "The New Labor Movement" from the Fall 2004 issue of the school magazine, Johns Hopkins Nursing.