Employer Initiative

Employee Assistance Programs and Wellness Initiatives

The Irish Trade and Professional Association for Doulas CLG is a not for profit membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports doulas and the doula profession. The Irish Trade and Professional Association for Doulas CLG is an inclusive organisation, welcoming Doulas providing range of supports, including, but not limited to: Antenatal, Birth, Postpartum, Fertility, Abortion, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Menopause, End of Life.

Every type of company – from SMEs to large multinationals – are beginning to offer greater range of wellness programmes as a part of their overall employee benefits package. Traditionally, workplaces concentrated their resources for workplace health on physical or safety benefits. Today though, the need for initiatives focused around mental health is becoming vital. Research shows that promoting workplace wellness benefits such as physical and mental health has significant benefits for both employers and employees.

Family planning can be a stressful and anxious time, and our aim is to ensure help is available so every unique journey into parenthood is safe, healthy and most importantly - happy.

The primary mission of the doula profession is to positively impact the childbearing experience for individuals and their families. Fundamental to doula care is the understanding that continuous emotional support and reassurance during labour, birth and postpartum improves and enhances maternal satisfaction.

Our member doulas offer emotional support, information resources and practical help. Doula services include both in person and online support, as well as workshops. Members can offer tailored packages for employers to facilitate the provision of support services as part of Employee Assistance Programs and Wellness Initiatives

Benefits

A Cochrane review on continuous labour support with a Doula shows the following results happen during labour and birth for those who have a Doula with them:

39% decrease in the chance of having a C-section
15% increase in the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal delivery (non-induced)
10% decrease in the need for any medication for pain relief
41-minute average reduction in the length of labour
38% decrease in low 5 minute APGAR score
31% increase in satisfaction with the overall birth experience

“With the support of doulas, many women are able to forego epidurals, avoid c-section births, and have less stressful births.”

Impact of Doulas | Gruber et al. 49, Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes

“Overall, people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support."

Evidence on: Doulas, Updated on May 4, 2019 by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

Our members wellness programmes can benefit employers by:

Lowering health care costs
Reducing extended leave and incidence of unpaid leave
Providing employees with knowledge and support to thrive in the postpartum period, allowing them return to work with greater confidence and resilience
Achieving higher employee productivity
Improving employee morale and loyalty

Sample Proposals

Our members offer a range of services for employers to provide to staff, for example:

Half day Workshops, for groups of up to 12: €750

The Antenatal Journey
Dads to Be
Preparing for Postpartum
Returning to work after Maternity / Paternity leave
Supporting staff in their return after leave

Pregnancy & Birth Journey Package: €450

2 Prenatal inhome visits of 3 hours each, to discuss your Birth Plan and preferences for comfort measures, and get your home set up for early labour and bringing baby home
2 Postpartum visits of 3 hours each to help you settle in at home

Single Support Sessions (Antenatal or Postpartum), 4 hours €150

Postpartum Package of 20 Hours (5 visits of 4 hours each): €700

Birth Support Package: €1,200

2 Prenatal inhome visits of 3 hours each, to discuss your Birth Plan and preferences for comfort measures, and get your home set up for early labour and bringing baby home
On Call with your Doula from week 37
In home support during your early labour
Virtual support or in-person support once you transfer to the hospital, depending on your preferences and hospital guidelines/restrictions at the time
2 Postpartum visits of 3 hours each to help you settle in at home
Unlimited text and call support

Find Out More

To find out more about members Corporate Packages, get in touch with our Association by emailing info@doulas.ie

or call 01 556 3033

Gift vouchers are offered, and can be redeemed with any member of the Irish Trade and Professional Association for Doulas CLG.

Employers need simply commit to a sum to be available through Remuneration packages, when an employee avails of Maternity or Paternity leave. The employee books the Doula, the employer pays the sum to the Doula. Alternatively, an employer can present a Gift voucher for the Irish Trade and Professional Association for Doulas to the employee.

Download our Proposal document