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| The Birth Doula - a Profession Both, Old and New
Anthropological studies have documented that around the world in all kinds of cultures continuous female companionship is normal birth practice. Dr. Klaus et al. found that in 127 out of 128 (!) societies from which data was available a woman is present throughout labor with a mother-to-be. (British Medical Journal, 293:586, 1986.) This element of caring continuity has been lost in our Western culture as birth has moved under medical supervision, with personnel working in shifts and variable on-call schedules. The emergence and the breath-taking growth of the doula profession is a testament to the basic human need of laboring mothers for kind, knowledgeable, old fashioned woman-to-woman care.
Woman-to Woman Care ... ... has been shown by the best possible
research to produce truly amazing results. The numbers speak for themselves. "Women cared for during labor by a birth
doula, compared to those receiving "usual care" were
(DONA International, 'Position Paper: The Birth Doula's Contribution to Modern Maternity Care'. 2006
Doulas and Medical Providers The birth doula fills a unique need of the laboring woman: kind, un-interrupted emotional and physical support by someone who knows about normal birth. NOT more assessment of labor progress. NOT more vaginal exams. NOT more medical advice. All the necessary medical supervision is provided to the fullest extent by the medical personnel. The doula, on the other hand, doesn't need to concern herself with managing a labor; it is not her role. This is why it is in no way necessary to go through medical training to become an outstanding doula. Anyone with a warm heart and a desire to be with a woman in labor is cordially invited to explore the doula world.
The DONA Advantage Criticism of the new birth doula profession almost always points to the lack of medical training of doulas. The criticism assumes that doulas give medical advice without medical training. This is not true for DONA certified doulas. DONA's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics ensure that the doula knows and respects the boundaries of her non-medical profession. In this way the doula helps make the experience better for everyone, the mother and baby, her loved ones, and the midwives, doctors and nurses who oversee maternity care. DONA's clear vision of the doula's role has been the main reason why the birth doula today is a respected and welcome member of modern maternity care in the U.S. Only a decade ago the word 'doula' was virtually unknown. Already by 2001, 5% of women used doulas for labor support (Listening to Mothers I, 2002), and the numbers are rising. DONA was founded in 1992. Here are some DONA statistics to show the growth of the profession:
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Contact info@birthingwithchild.org
Phone 406-570-4359 |
In
every time and in every culture there have been women who were drawn in a
special way towards the miracle of pregnancy and birth. Women helping other
women through childbirth is as old as humankind.
