At any moment — night or day —Bridget Riley could get a phone call. She could have to drop everything she is doing at that moment and meet one of her clients at the hospital, where she could remain for more than 24 hours.
Riley is a junior human services major at Elon, and she is training to be a doula.
“It was always my passion to work with pregnant women, with childbirth or parenting for infants,” she said. “And that’s how I stumbled on doulas.”
Doulas, also known as labor coaches, are nonmedical individuals who assist a woman before, during and after her pregnancy. A doula also provides support to the woman’s partner and family.
Riley first looked into midwifery, but knew it wasn’t right for her because she has no interest in medicine.
“I wish I could work as a midwife and go to medical school, because it’s such a beautiful profession,” Riley said. “But being a doula is the perfect fit for me, because it provides emotional and physical support.”
Her interest in midwifery led her to information about doulas. There are a number of organizations that train and certify doulas. Riley chose to get certified through DONA International, the oldest and most respected doula association in the world.
The certification process involves a childbirth class, a breastfeeding class, a doula workshop, reading five books and participating at least three documented births.
Riley got her first client when she was working with the YWCA in Greensboro, where they work with pregnant teens, teen and adult moms. Her client from the YWCA referred her to other clients and her name got around by word of mouth.
“It’s hard starting out,” Riley said. “New moms may have other pregnant friends, and then your name gets out there in a community of mothers, and that’s how it works.”
Her Facebook page and cards that she hands out have also been helpful in finding clients.
So far, she has only worked with women under 30, but Riley insists doulas are for anyone. She said most women stumble upon the idea of a doula if they are looking into pregnancy without medication.
All doulas have their own methods, but Riley said she strives to create an atmosphere of calmness and comfort during a birth with her clients. Doulas are there with their clients from the beginning to the end of a pregnancy and they are also present for the birth, from the first contraction until it’s all over.
Doulas are not ethically allowed to give medical advice to their patients.
“I always say I don’t do anything I need to put gloves on for, “ Riley explained.
She is also careful not to give her opinion on specific birth practices or methods. She gives information to her clients, but advises they make their decisions with their doctor or partner.
“I can’t even say ‘I think we should go to the hospital,’” she said. “That has to be the client’s decision.”
Being a doula is not a profession you can make a living off of, according to Riley, who has had four clients so far. Her most recent client began contractions at 6:15 a.m. and didn’t give birth until 1:30 a.m., after which Riley slept for a little bit and made it to class at 12:20 p.m.
“I was mentally up and ready for the whole time I was at the hospital,” she said. “The energy and the adrenaline just keeps you going.”
That’s why she plans on being certified before she graduates from Elon, and eventually becoming a childbirth educator. This would allow her to work out of her home or at a local community center wherever she is living in the future. Riley is working on creating her business in the Greensboro area now, and she wants to continue to add to it.
“I want to become a postpartum doula, learn belly-casting and prenatal photography,” she said. “I want to be able to offer more and more services to my clients through my personal business.”
When Riley has her own children in the future, she said she definitely wants to hire a doula.
“I might even have four,” she joked.
Riley and two of her doula friends created the idea of a birth circle in Greensboro every other Friday.
“It’s a place to empower women,” she said. “They can share and help one another through talking and sharing opinions.”
Doula friends provide Riley with a network of support. Her parents are also supportive and proud of her for pursuing her passion. The encouragement from her family and friends is extremely important to her.
Riley is passionate about her beliefs and what she does. She spoke about the message that young girls are receiving today regarding pregnancy. She said the media encourages girls not to get pregnant much more than it encourages girls to avoid getting STDs.
“This is why people are scared of childbirth and think it’s awful, but it’s not,” she said. “I think people need to talk about and think about childbirth and pregnancy, because whether it happens at 20 or 45, it’s still going to be beautiful.”