Jump to content

Doula

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 165.20.104.30 (talk) at 09:07, 29 April 2014 (Clarified medical literature and removed biased language). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other uses, see Doula (disambiguation).
A doula (l) with mother and child

A doula (/ˈduːlə/, also known as a labour coach[1] and originating from the Ancient Greek word δούλη meaning female slave),[2] is a nonmedical person who assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth, as well as her partner and/or family, by providing physical assistance, and emotional support.[3] The provision of continuous support during labour, which may be provided by doulas, nurses, family, friends, etc. is associated with improved maternal and fetal health and a variety of other benefits.[4]

Certification and training is offered to doulas, though there is no oversight to their practice and the title can be used by anyone.[5] The goal of a doula is to ensure the mother feels safe and confident before, during, and after delivery.[6] Doulas can be controversial within medical settings due to a lack of formal medical education when a discussion regarding medical interventions in labor versus pursuing natural childbirth without an epidural or caesarean section arises.[7]

Sometimes the term doula can also refer to a nonmedical person who assists critically ill elderly people.[3]

History and etymology

The term "doula" was first used in a 1969 anthropological study [8] conducted by Dana Raphael. Raphael suggested it was a widespread practice that a female of the same species be part of childbirth, and in human societies this was traditionally a role occupied by a family member or friend whose presence contributed to successful long-term breastfeeding. Raphael's derivation of the term is not clear, only describing it as coming from "Aristotle's time", and is defined as an Ancient Greek word δούλη meaning "female slave."[2] Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, who conducted clinical trials on the medical outcomes of doula-attended births, adopted the term to refer to a person providing labor support.[9]

In 1992, Doulas of North America (DONA), one of the first doula training and certifying organizations, was founded.[10] By 1994, DONA had certified 750 doulas and 10 years later that number reached 5,842 - the increase reflects the emerging popularity of the role.[10] Between 1992 and 2004, DONA has provided training to approximately 25,000 people.[7]

Types of support

The overall goal of a doula is for the mother to feel safe and comfortable, enhancing the goal of doctors and nurses which is to ensure a safe delivery for mother and child. Doulas have no clinical role, duties or decision making, deferring instead to nurses or doctors.[6]

Birth

A birth doula is also called a labor doula. The kinds of support provided during childbirth may include physical assistance and comfort (massage, maintaining a supporting posture or providing water), emotional support (providing company, encouragement or simply talking in a soothing tone of voice), and acting as an advocate for the woman undergoing childbirth (suggesting options or supporting the woman's decisions to a medical team).[3] Doulas may also be involved during pregnancy and after birth (postnatal care).[3]

Most doula-client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due.[11] Before the labor, the doula and the family can develop a relationship where the mother and her partner feel free to ask questions and express fears and concerns, and where the mother can take an active role in creating a birth plan.[11] Continuity of support by the same person is thought to be an important aspect of the relationship between doula and mother.[2] Doulas may be found in hospital- or community-based programs as well as private practice and may be reimbursed by insurance companies or out-of-pocket by clients.[3][6] Because insurance companies typically do not cover the cost of hiring a doula, they are more popular among middle- and upper-class parents; they can charge up to $1,000 for three visits (before, during and after birth).[7][12]

Postpartum

Postpartum doulas provide help and support in the first weeks after becoming a mother.[11] The same person often provides both birth doula and postpartum doula services. They may provide physical support, such as meal preparation and light household tidying, or fill in when a new mother needs a break.[11][13] They also provide emotional support and companionship by encouraging a mother when she might be feeling overwhelmed.[11][13]

Antepartum

An antepartum doula provides help and support to a mother who has been put on bed rest or is experiencing a high risk-pregnancy.[11] Emotional, physical and practical support can be provided by an antepartum doula in these circumstances.[11]

Other

It has also been suggested that doulas or doula-like practitioners may have a role in caring for critically ill adults in geriatric care.[3]

Medical aspects

Continuous support during labour provided by doulas (along with variety of groups such as nurses, midwives, other hospital staff, partners, family or friends) have been associated with improved outcomes for both mothers and children.[4] There is research to support the beneficial effects of doulas on both maternal and newborn or infant health, including shorter delivery, fewer caesarean sections and complications, the use of fewer medications and fetal extraction tools, improved Apgar scores, less time in neonatal intensive care units, positive psychological benefits for mothers, more satisfying birth experiences, and increased breastfeeding.[3] Cross-country research on the effects of doulas on child birth and postnatal care is complicated by the variety of settings, cultures and medical systems of individual countries and characteristics of patients.[3] These benefits appear to be contingent on the doula providing continuous rather than intermittent assistance, have some medical training and on the specific social and cultural setting within which their services are provided. This may be due to doulas providing intermittent assistance being experienced midwives who focused less on social support and more on medical aspects of delivery. Women with less education, lower incomes, less preparation for childbirth and those lacking social support may experience greater benefits from doula care than other groups.[3]

However, some medical institutions have banned doula participation citing that doulas can "cross the line" during delivery, endangering mother and child. Some doula clients have also found their doulas carried personal agendas into the birthing room that were contrary to their wishes and a risk to their health. Though the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has no official position on doulas, during an interview the ACOG's chairwoman of the academy’s committee on obstetric practice Sarah Kilpatrick, stated while doulas may be helpful there are some who try to "interfere with the medical aspect of delivery." Doulas may also oppose the use of any infant formula, medications or medical interventions during childbirth, refusing work with mothers who decide to have an epidural or otherwise do not undertake natural childbirth.[5][7] Doulas acting beyond the role of social support and advocacy by providing medical advice should be addressed out of the presence of the patient, and professional associations have policies in place to address such issues.[6]

Training and certification

There is a lack of standardization and oversight of doulas, with multiple organizations providing different courses with varying requirements. There is no formal or universally recognized certification process or training requirements, and anyone can refer to themselves as a doula.[5] No academic credentials such as a college or university diploma, or high school equivalency are required.[7]

Being a doula does not require any medical training.[7] In North America training generally takes the form of a two to three day seminar, and some experience with childbirth. Trainees may have hands-on practice with various techniques used during childbirth, including maternal positions and movements, relaxation and breathing exercises and other measures that could be used for comfort. Certification can occur through organizations at various levels (local, national or international) and some require positive evaluations from medical professionals. Certification may also require, in addition to attending a training course, time spent working or learning about maternity care and childbirth classes and possibly a written exam.[3] Research also supports the use of female friends or relatives, after minimal training, as a low-cost alternative to professional doulas.[14] Some doulas train through distance education.[6]

Disputes between doctors, nurses and doulas have been described as a "turf battle",[6][7] though it is also recognized that doulas and nurses can occupy complementary roles that provide opportunities for mutual learning and assistance.[6] Some hospitals have created internal doula training programs to reduce conflict between doulas and medical staff.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gliksman, MI (1999). The complete idiot's guide to pregnancy and childbirth. Penguin Books. pp. 225. ISBN 0028631048. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c Mander, R (2001). "The doula". Supportive care and midwifery. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 113–33. ISBN 0632054255.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 15341233, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 15341233 instead.
  4. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 21328263, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 21328263 instead.
  5. ^ a b c Paul, P (2008-03-02). "And the Doula Makes Four". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 16620259, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=16620259 instead.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Hwang, S (2004-01-19). "As 'Doulas' Enter Delivery Rooms, Conflicts Arise: Hired to Help in Childbirth, They Sometimes Clash With Doctors and Nurses". The Wall Street Journal.
  8. ^ Perspectives on Biology and Medicine
  9. ^ Klaus, MH (2002). The Doula Book: How A Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have A Shorter, Easier, And Healthier Birth. Da Capo Press. pp. 4. ISBN 0738206091. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Askren, Hana (2012-08-18). "Doula Comeback Tied to Gaps in Modern Birth Care". Womens eNews. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Having a Doula | American Pregnancy Association". Americanpregnancy.org. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  12. ^ "Doulas, a Mom's Best Friend During Labor, Grow in Popularity | Mission Loc@l". Missionlocal.org. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  13. ^ a b "DONA International – What is a doula?". Dona.org. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  14. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17718872, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 17718872 instead.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doula&oldid=606301979"