EVANSTON, IL—In one more push to offer fresh amenities to their patients, Labor and Delivery units are now employing Social Media Doulas to assist in the delivery of real-time birthing posts. Chelsea Malcolm, OB nurse administrator at St. Isidore Hospital, says the skills of the Social Media Doula allow new parents to focus on getting to know their baby while ensuring that their entire social network can, too.
Since they began offering the benefit earlier this year, Social Media Doulas at St. Isidore have created over 300 posts, including four Facebook Live events, for a pilot group of two dozen L&D patients.
Social Media Doula Micaela Green guarantees her posts will generate likes, comments, and shares. “I captured a crowning Boomerang video last week that went viral on all the mommy blogs,” Ms. Green noted cheerfully. As of press time, the video had over 100,000 views on YouTube. When asked for comment, Vanessa Burren, the mother in the viral video, said, “They told me I couldn’t use my selfie stick because it was in the doctor’s way. I’m really glad Micaela was there to preserve the moment by getting it online immediately. She even came up with our birthing hashtag: #burrenbabyburren.”
Those concerned with their appearance while giving birth may delegate their worries to the doula. “Rest assured that the Social Media Doulas on staff are trained in flattering lighting and portrait angles,” Ms. Malcolm said. “You may not feel your best after labor, but you can look your best.” According to Ms. Malcolm, the doulas also perform light makeup retouching and hair styling, as well as any necessary garment adjustments.
The Social Media Doulas are part of St. Isidore’s burgeoning post-natal care team which also includes an in-house newborn photographer, lactation consultants, early childhood education coordinators, baby masseurs, and personal shoppers with expertise in infant gadgetry.
Patients interested in the services of the Social Media Doula simply need to include their usernames and passwords in their birth plan. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and YouTube are included amongst the variety of supported platforms according to the St. Isidore Labor and Delivery Perks web page. Expectant parents are advised that peak social media browsing time is midmorning on weekdays and should plan delivery accordingly.
