Happy 20th birthday to the Professional Doulas of Charleston!
What Is the Professional Doulas of Charleston?
The Professional Doulas of Charleston (PDC) is a local group of birth and postpartum doulas who support and educate women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period or fourth trimester. PDC members are committed to helping women give birth and care for their newborns in the way they choose. Doulas don’t direct or push an agenda, but follow the mother’s lead and preference.
History of the PDC
The PDC was founded by Lin Cook, the first doula in South Carolina and owner of Mother’s Helper. Lin has been a birth and postpartum doula since 1988 and became certified in the early 90s. Lin formed the group in 2003 to create a more professional presence and positive image in the Lowcountry community. Her aim was to educate the public on the role of the doula and to promote doula care when it was a lesser-known service.
Since its inception, the PDC has grown to over a dozen full members and additional provisional members. Provisional members become full members once they gain working experience with growing families, obtain certification, and are vetted by the group.
Growth in Membership and Services
Cindi Schweitzer, PDC president, joined six years ago and has seen the group grow in size and additional service offerings since then. Some of the additional services include childbirth education classes, birth pool rentals, birth photography, lactation consultation, placenta encapsulation, prenatal yoga, infant massage instruction, and sacred belly binding.
“One benefit of hiring a doula is the evidence-based education and informed decision-making tools she provides to the families,” explains Cindi.
In addition to client services, the group has also expanded its community outreach. This fall, the PDC welcomed its first masters-level intern and is distributing hurricane emergency kits to new moms and babies. Over the years they’ve participated in diaper drives, maternal health fundraisers, and have hosted educational meet-ups on various subjects specific to birth and postpartum.
Close-Knit Members of Professional Doulas of Charleston
The members of the PDC offer a lot to one another too, in the form of camaraderie and collaboration. Amanda Ostrom, past president of the PDC, explains that the group meets on a monthly basis to go over business, plan community events, share knowledge, and decompress in a safe and confidential space.
Cindi adds, “Having an amazing group of strong women to turn to is the biggest benefit of PDC membership.”
Sarah Glenn echoes this sentiment. She states, “The PDC are women who would give you the shirt off their back to support pregnant and postpartum women in any form they need.” She joined the group for the like-minded connection after relocating to the Charleston area three years ago. She has enjoyed learning about the birth practices in the area and appreciates that the PDC is always evolving.
Brandy Mullins shares her appreciation of the group’s collaborative and supportive nature. “Each member brings a different skill set and philosophy. We learn from each other, respect each other, and value each other. There is something so beautiful about women helping each other succeed, celebrating each other, and supporting each other,” she adds.
Community Connections Through Professional Doulas of Charleston
Dawn Oliver, PDC vice president, believes that one of the main advantages of the group, for both members and clients, is its community connections.
“We have resources that a newer family may not have access to. We can recommend doulas, midwives, physicians, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, and so much more. Some of these resources are from personal interactions and some are professional. Either way, you receive first-hand information to help make your pregnancy smoother,” she states.
The Professional Doulas of Charleston helps foster these connections through bi-annual professional collaboration events with area perinatal health and service providers such as pelvic floor therapists, birth photographers, mental health counselors, and acupuncturists.
A Doula for All Families
Members of the PDC come from many different backgrounds: local to Charleston, transplanted from elsewhere, holistically-minded, medically-minded, previously worked as a nurse, teacher, or social worker; the list goes on and on. An eclectic mix of women lends itself to options when it comes to clicking with the right doula for one’s unique needs.
Cindi explains, “By having a network of doulas, local families can find the right doula for them. Each doula brings something different to the birthing and postpartum period.”
Brandy agrees and states, “Because we each bring our own experiences and specialties to our work, there is someone in the group who is the right fit for the needs of each mom. We all seek to empower the family to see their own strength in parenthood.”
Amanda thinks hiring a doula is a no-brainer: “The presence of a doula can be the difference between you becoming a positive or negative statistic. Why would you not employ a doula to join your team, be on your side, and be the non-judgmental, professional listener you will need?”
Lin is happy with what the Professional Doulas of Charleston has become over the past 20 years. “I see doulas far more accepted and appreciated today,” she says with a smile. Mission accomplished.
