Operation Special Delivery

nocomparta · 02-01-2006, 04:32 PM

I wanted to let you guys know about a program that I volunteer for. It's called Operation Special Delivery. OSD provides volunteer doulas to military wives due to give birth while their husbands are deployed. Some of these women are stationed away from their family, and when their husband is deployed they don't have anyone. I had an OSD client delivering her fourth baby that told me when she had her third, she had left her two older children with her neighbor and driven HERSELF to the hospital, had her baby, and driven herself home. Anyway, OSD desperately needs volunteers. If you are interested in attending these women, visit our website at http://www.operationspecialdelivery.com. There is a page with the forms you need to send in to volunteer. You don't have to be certified, only trained. It's a great way to score those three births to get your certification! If you have any questions, please let me know.

DL · 02-01-2006, 04:48 PM

Hey Val,

I haven't volunteered yet, but it's not because I'm uncaring.

I've often considered volunteering, as I'm a former military wife myself. Dh was in the Air Force for the first 8 years of our marriage. My oldest was born in an Army hospital in Germany, and my second in an Air Force hospital in up-state New York. Anyway...the thing is that I live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest military base (Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH); I would really prefer to not have to go that far. I would be very surprised if anyone in my neck of the woods needed an OSD doula because of having no one to support them. If there are any military spouses around here, then they're here because they have family here (who would most likely attend the birth). Should I volunteer anyway, or not bother?

nocomparta · 02-01-2006, 04:50 PM

It's up to you Lori. A lot of times Dad will deploy and Mom will go home to her Mom. But you tell me, have you ever been at a birth when Mom's Mom was as good as a doula?

DL · 02-01-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaVal

But you tell me, have you ever been at a birth when Mom's Mom was as good as a doula?

You've got a point there! Maybe I'll volunteer *just in case*.

I DO already have the OSD logo hyperlinked to the OSD website on my website! I think it's a wonderful program!

I had already decided that I'd do active-duty ENLISTED military for free, and officer's for a discount (they make A LOT more money than enlisted!) if I was ever approached by a military family for doula services. I haven't had any inquiries from military folks yet. I wouldn't have the heart to charge any of them full fee. (now where's the American flag, Tiff??

)

teachinmamaof4 · 02-01-2006, 05:22 PM

I wish we lived near a base so I could volunteer someday. This is such a neat service!!

heathenmamaof5 · 02-01-2006, 06:22 PM

Val, I'm sooo glad you're here, I feel you will be a wonderful asset to AllDoulas.

I e-mailed my local rep recently (like the past two weeks). I haven't heard back. Maybe when I'm feeling a little better I'll try again.

And my hubby won't even say a word about the pro-bona/volunteer issue. He knows my veiws on our military personell and other public servants. My BIL is a Deputy with Sac County and his father is a Fireman.

K-I lost my train of thouhgt. Time to climb back in bed. My back and head hurt

Please, please pray for me

dear sisters.

In Freindship,

Jill

MothertheMother · 02-01-2006, 06:38 PM

Val is definitely right about women often going home to have babies so you just never know. Plus, IMO the more volunteers we have the more recoginition we can get from media etc to spread the word. I would think, correct me if I am wrong Val, that you could act as a state rep even if you are not close to a military installation. I know Val could use a lot of help with that! There are many states with no rep and Val covers them ALL. It is just a matter of doing what you can to spread the word, recruit other volunteers and matching ladies with doulas. Oh, and trying to keep the volunteer list up to date for your state (names/numbers etc).

Just doing what you can to spread the word will help out tremendously! Everybody sign up!

nocomparta · 02-03-2006, 12:49 AM

Christy's right, if you don't think enough stuff is going on in your state, sign up to be the state coordinator and get something moving! Email me for the forms.

Thanks Christy.

V

Jackie7183 · 02-03-2006, 12:21 PM

I would love to volenteer for this, I couldn't think of anything more rewarding! But do you have to be trained through CAPPA, or can you be trained through DONA also??

MothertheMother · 02-03-2006, 12:41 PM

I am sure Val will correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure it makes no difference which organization you trained with (not just limited to CAPPA and DONA) .You just need to send in a copy of your certificate of training along with the other application forms. (not to be confused with certification just proof you attended a doula training).

neworleansdoula · 02-03-2006, 01:05 PM

Hey Val,

I had talked to you (through email) about being LA state rep 2x now, but was unsure if we were moving to Oregon or not so I decided to wait. Looks like we'll be staying around LA for another year or so because I'm developing a staff doula program at my local hospital.

So, I've again contemplated the thought of being LA state coordinator.

I do have a question though. I live on a base where there is a community center (they have a new parent program). My first thought was that they'd be really supportive of doulas and that having the OSD in place would be a great benefit to them since they know who's deploying and when. I gave a lot of information to the LT who is in charge of the program and haven't heard anything back. And, it isn't like I can post the OSD flyers on the base without their permission. What would you suggest I do?

I will try to get the paperwork together this weekend for state coordinator. Is it possible to fax this stuff to you? I can mail it, but LA's mail system is still REALLY slow due to hurricane Katrina.

Thanks,
Heidi

Jackie7183 · 02-07-2006, 05:33 PM

So Val I have a few questions, if you don't mind.

How do the mom's find out about this service? A friend of mine who is a military wife said she had no clue that this services was available when she had her baby.

Do you need someone in N. California? There are a few bases up here, 2 of which are closed.

I don't have a home phone, only my cell. Would that be a problem? The paperwork says you must have a home phone.

I think that is all for now, please let me know.

Thanks,,

Luv2bemommy · 02-07-2006, 09:53 PM

This is awesome! We have alot of military here in NC, just too bad I live so far away from them!

1stimestar · 02-08-2006, 02:28 AM

I have an OSD client due next month.

nocomparta · 02-08-2006, 09:03 AM

OK trying to get to all the questions, sorry I missed them...

As long as you've attended a doula training with one of the organizations that trains doulas, such as CAPPA, DONA, ALACE, Birthworks, or one of the recognized childbirth organizations, you can volunteer. As far as contact information, if I have a phone number and especially an email on you, I'm a happy camper! Heidi, if you want to just email me all your forms, I can make an exception with you being in LA. I just got an application from someone in Pearl River, is that near you?

And finally, about spreading the word: OSD has been around since 2001, and we have been in various newspapers and magazines, as well as making contact with military personnel who would be able to get the information to the right people. Sometimes they cooperate, sometimes they don't. I am usually surprised that someone isn't aware of the program, but it happens, for sure. Most of our applicants are from CA, WA, PA, and NY. Those are all states that have had some really good state coordinators in place from the beginning who took it on themselves to make sure that the word has gotten out. Since I took over last May, OSD has been added to Military One Source's available programs, so if anyone calls there they get sent to us. I hang flyers everywhere I go: the library, the massage therapist, my chiropractor, the gym... Of course I get permission. But I have yet to have anyone say no, who wants to tell some pregnant woman that she has to give birth alone?

I think I caught all the questions, if there's more, post them here or PM me. Talk soon!