By Holly Kline
Indy Doula Associates, or IDA, will celebrate their grand opening with an open house at Source Yoga in Fishers on May 2. A doula is a trained and certified professional offering emotional and physical support to mothers before, during and after the birth process. IDA is unique in that they bring together four experienced doulas that can also provide informational resources, lactation services and much more.
The open house takes place from 1 – 4 p.m. and is an opportunity to find out about IDA services and Source Yoga is the host, not the IDA storefront. “We do not have a location,” explained owner, founder and doula Patti Crawford. “We prefer to make things convenient. We meet in our clients’ homes or if someone wants to meet in a public place we do that.”
Doulas can be beneficial at any time during the pregnancy. “It’s never too late to have a doula because we will be there with you,” Crawford stated. “We want our clients to have a happy, healthy birth experience that they want. Our job is to help them navigate that.”
How are doulas received at area hospitals? Crawford said she has never been turned away and she recently attended a meeting on how to develop relationships with doctors, nurses and other caregivers. “Our goal is to educate our clients with evidence-based advice so they can advocate for themselves without alienating the caregivers,” she said.
In fact, Crawford has been a doula for five years and has built a solid reputation with both medical professionals and clients. “As a chiropractor specializing in prenatal care, I have had a professional working relationship with Patti for years,” stated Dr. Abigail F. Eaton, D.C. “We chose to ask her to be our doula last year for the birth of our son, and Patti rose to the occasion.”
“We are unique because we come to you for prenatal, post-partum and lactation services as well as the birth itself. I’ve done over 400 births and at IDA we are a powerhouse of resources and information,” Crawford said. Go to www.indydoulaassociates.com for more information.
