As a doula, you bridge the gap for your clients and their families, especially those most vulnerable to maternal illness and death.
Any pregnant person may be at risk for developing preeclampsia, a life-threatening hypertensive disorder that can devastate the patients and families that experience it. Many newly expectant moms may not be aware of their risk factors for preeclampsia, or steps they can take to help decrease their risk. They may also not be aware of preeclampsia signs and symptoms -- but you can be!
Your personal support and professional expertise as a doula provides your clients with empowering tools to promote mental, emotional and physical health during and following pregnancy. That's why our team wants to ensure that you are equipped with educational resources and knowledge to help your clients navigate their preeclampsia experience.
Educate and empower all of your clients, so that if preeclampsia happens, you and she are ready!
Educating clients about the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia is the first line of defense to prevent bad outcomes. Preeclampsia can occur rapidly and worsen quickly between regular prenatal appointments. As her doula, you can take the first step to educate your clients by familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms, and encouraging her to trust her instinct when something feels wrong.
Research shows that pregnant patients know that preeclampsia is serious, but also have a poor understanding of preeclampsia's signs and symptoms.
When women know their risk factors and how to recognize the signs and symptoms, they are also more likely to comply with prescribed preventions or treatments. This has a direct impact on reducing adverse outcomes. As a doula, your knowledge and encouragement might just save a life! Use the following tools in your sessions or on your social media channel to help educate your clients.
Educational bookmarks (free to download and print)
Research shows that women who survive preeclampsia are four times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than women who undergo a healthy pregnancy. Having a trusted doula there to advocate for a woman and carry some of the emotional burden during such a distressing time can reduce short-term and permanent trauma and promote long-term healing not only for the mother, but for those close to her as well.
Hearing your pregnancy is "at risk" replaces pregnancy joy with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about your future. As a doula, you may be one of the few levels of comfort a high-risk mom can have. Use your resources to help assess the emotional state and needs that a mom and her partner may have. Connect her to bereavement/loss and miscarriage doulas (if needed). Encourage her to find the support she needs.
It is our collective voice that reduces isolation for others, raises awareness and improves healthcare practices. Let's raise up our voices so more women know about preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome and less women have adverse outcomes!
Stories of our brave women and families who have been affected by preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Please note that due to a technical issue, we are currently fixing the images on this page.
What is Preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all p...
Birth Trauma Resources Between 25 and 34 percent of women report that their births were traumatic. A traumatic birth experience is defined by circumstances in which the individual patient bel...
For many members of the preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia community, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a life-changing part of their pregnancy and birth experience. Parents from our...
Resultados de varios estudios apoyan la hipótesis de que el estrés causado por un embarazo y parto traumáticos puede en muchas ocasiones anular la habilidad de salir adelante emoc...
As an advocate who served on the planning committee for the Foundation’s Chicago Promise Walk and 5K Run for numerous years and currently serves on the Patient Advisory Council, Jasmine Mago is...
As a preeclampsia survivor in our PF community, you are probably well-aware that you have a higher risk for various forms of heart disease than our “normal” pregnancy peers. As one survivo...
For those who have experienced the loss of their expected pregnancy experience, the end-of-year holiday season can be a time of grieving. Grief can manifest as anger, sadness, irritability, frustratio...