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Teen Doula Helps Teen Moms with Labor and Delivery
Teen doula helps out young mothers
MTV has had a huge splash with Teen Mom – for better or for worse – but one teenager is looking to make an impact in young moms’ lives by volunteering as a birth doula.
Seventeen-year-old Allie Sakowicz, who has aspirations to become a doctor, spent her summer volunteering at a maternity ward in Illinois. Sakowicz worked as a doula who focused on helping teen moms with labor and delivery.
Allie shared, “I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 9 years old.” Her mother, Catherine, added, “Allie never wanted to play with Barbie dolls. She wanted a stethoscope.”
Sakowicz said she had an interest in helping with labor and delivery after she saw a show about doulas when she was 13 or 14. She explains, “I realized that this was a way that I could make a difference because as a teenager, I have a unique perspective that can help young moms.”
As a teenager, Sakowica helps teen moms who may “have trouble communicating what they want or don’t want. When you’re a teen mom in labor, your voice can get lost in the process.”
Allie says that being a teenager gives her an advantage with young moms because”They aren’t as embarrassed to talk to me about certain things as they might be with an older doula. I have both a friendship and a professional relationship with young moms.”
Sakowicz is working towards becoming a certified doula with DONA International and has completed the requirements of written work, instruction, evaluations and, most notably, serving as a primary doula for births.
Allie hopes to become an obstetrician, noting, “There’s absolutely nothing like witnessing a new life come into the world. It’s an indescribable feeling and it’s something that I look forward to experiencing the rest of my life.”
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4 Comments
Jenna commented on Sep 08 11 at 2:05 amWay to go Allie! This girl rocks.
elendy commented on Sep 08 11 at 9:17 amLove love love this! It is so right for so many reasons! Teen moms really do need special support, and who better to give it than a peer?
Plus, I love that this teenager is getting exposed to real live births – and that she wants to be an doctor! If only all OB’s got their starts as doulas!!!
Plus, as she grows up, she won’t have the same fear of birth as ‘the unknown’ that most women in this country have.
This makes my day!
Heather commented on Sep 10 11 at 9:20 amI wish I had had a teen doula when I had my first child (at 16yo) I think I would have been a lot more comfortable with someone my own age who could advocate for me. The experience was tough, and having a peer with me, rather than all adults (who insisted they knew better what I wanted than I did) would have made it a little less tough. I applaud this girl!
Kate commented on Sep 10 11 at 10:13 pmI think it’s a great idea! I wish there weren’t kids out there having babies, but since I can’t seem to stop that, having somebody on their side is so important. A lot of the time the family isn’t supportive, etc. so it would be nice to have a peer there to support them and their choices.
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