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Re: DoulasFrom: anonymous@obgyn.net ("anonymous@obgyn.net")Mon, 4 Oct 1999 15:50:50 -0700
>----- Original Message ----- From: SONNENSTUHL <anonymous@obgyn.net> To: Multiple recipients of list WOMENS-HEALTH <anonymous@obgyn.net> Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 9:25 AM Subject: Re: Doulas : I've seen doulas get in the way of the woman in labor, by having her do : things she doesn't want to do, and interfering with her desire for an : epidural or pain medication, for example. : I've also seen Doulas interfere with a woman's provider and creating : more anxiety and indecision for the woman in labor. : It is very important everyone works together as a team. I know you meant this statement with the utmost respect, but I'd like to reply if I may. When you state that you have seen doula's get in the way of the laboring woman by having her do things she doesn't want to do, and interfering with her desire for an epidural, or pain medication, I think you are in truth painting a not so great picture, and making a blanket statement. You also go on to state you have seen Doula's interfere with a woman's provider, and creating more anxiety, and indecision for the laboring woman. Then you go on to say that it's very important that everyone works together as a team. Please let me address this paragraph by paragraph: A Doula establishes a rapport with the "mother to be" way before she delivers. The Doula doesn't just see her once a month for a health care visit, we make ourselves available to our clients, for any questions, or concerns, that we are able to answer safely, and that are not medically dictated, because we do not dispense medical advice. There are many things, that pregnant women worry about, that aren't medically based. So we empower them throughout their pregnancy. We support both mother and birth partner, so they have the birth experience *they want*, not what the care provider thinks they should have. So when you state that we interfere, how you do you know that in fact the Doula and her client have an agreement. I have had many many mothers say to me, "Marna, I want to have a natural birth, but I understand there is a lot of pain involved, and I want you to help me manage this. I know I am going to ask for pain medication, the first hard contraction I feel. Please divert my attention, distract me, remind me of this conversation, as I do not want drugs. However, if there is a need, I will ask you three times, if after the third time, I say I want pain relief, then believe me that I do" I've never stood in the way of a laboring mother and pain relief, unless she specifically has asked me to. Being a Doula is not about making sure a woman labors drugs free, it's about empowering her so that she can have the birth experience she wants. It's about doing what our client asks, as long as it's reasonable. And helping a woman attain a natural birth is pretty reasonable. You stated that Doula's interfere with the laboring woman's provider, and creating more anxiety and indecision for the laboring mother. Doula's are information providers, education is our key, along with our support. Many many times, laboring mothers complain that they feel forced into situations, that they wish they could avoid. Doula's are simply laboring mothers advocates. I am sorry, but pregnancy and birth are natural occurrences, not medical procedures, and as such they should be treated as such. Women have been giving since the dawn of time. We do act as a liaison on occasion for our laboring mothers, especially if they ask us to. Why? Because we are impartial, and we want what's best for our laboring mothers. We are also the folks who console, and support the laboring mother who after many interventions has undergone a c-section, and who is beating herself off, because her body failed her. Who doesn't feel like she really attained motherhood because she didn't birth vaginally. We champion each and every woman who births, long after you folks go home, or go on to the next birth. That's what doula's do. You also state that it's very important we all work together as a team. You are 100% correct. The above statements you made, I feel are the exception rather than the rule. In the past 10+ years that I have worked as a birth Doula, I have only had one issue with a care provider. The care providers I have had the privilege to work with, were almost always on the same page with the laboring mother and myself. It would be safe to say that I have seen plenty if CNM's and OB's as well repress, oppress, and stall labor for laboring mothers -- we are all human. But I don't disrespect you folks because of that. Thanks- Marna Gatlin Doula
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