Operation Special Delivery
Reaching military mothers through labor support.
Now more than ever, our hearts go out to the hundreds of military families who have loved ones serving abroad. Often forgotten are the women from these families who are pregnant and may be alone during childbirth.
Operation Special Delivery is a volunteer based program designed to meet the needs of military families. Let's find out more from Mary Beth Nance, the current program director.
When did Operation Special Delivery (OSD) begin?
OSD began with the vision of Patricia Newton, a doula in southern Jew Jersey. Like many people, Patricia felt the need to personally respond to the tragedies of September 11, 2001 and she immediately saw the U.S. military and their families as indirect victims of the attacks.
Because she was geographically located between Washington DC and New York CIty, Patricia asked nearby doulas via the internet if they would be willing to donate their services to any pregnant woman who either lost her partner on 9/11, or would be giving birth without the presence of her partner due to military deployments. The response was overwhelming. Doulas from 20 states were interested in volunteering.
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) now runs the program as it has become too large for one person to manage.
Tell us about the services OSD provides.
OSD provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured or who have lost their lives due to the current war, or who will be deployed at the time that they are due to give birth.
How does a mother qualify for using the services of OSD?
She must meet the above criteria as well as be unable to afford the cost of a private doula. In addition she must be lacking in reliable and/or sufficient labor support.
How many mothers have you supported through this program?
Since March of 2005, OSD has served nearly 350 mothers.
How many doulas participate?
There are currently over 400 volunteer doulas in the Operation Special Delivery program. We are present in nearly every state and several locations internationally.
Where can mothers call for more information?
Anyone who is interested in applying or volunteering with OSD may visit our website at http://www.operationspecialdelivery.com/index.htm email osd@cappa.net or phone 888-MY-CAPPA.
(Thank you, Mary Beth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), CAPPA Director for Operation Special Delivery for your information about this program.)
Have any of our readers used this service or been an OSD doula? Share your story with us.
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