Natural childbirth has been regaining strength as the main option for the birth of babies, both because it is considered healthier and by women’s choice. It has taken on a new name, humanized childbirth, where respect for the woman and her body is given top priority, allowing the woman to experience every second of her body at work and to feel all the sensations right up until the moment she holds her greatest treasure in her arms.
With this, a new type of work was born: the DOULA. But is a doula a midwife or just a companion? What does she do during labor and pregnancy? After all, what does a doula do?
What is a Doula?
The name doula comes from the Greek and means “woman who serves,” and knowing the real work of these women, we see that its origin fits exactly with their role.
In the past, when a young woman became pregnant, it was common for her to be assisted and advised throughout the pregnancy by more experienced women in her family, as well as having companions at the time of birth, which often took place at home, along with care for the baby in the first days.
Over time, births started happening in maternity hospitals, and this accompaniment was set aside, occurring only after the baby was born and until the mother’s recovery.
To address the lack of support that women today face during motherhood, doulas have come to fill that gap and offer pregnant women the support, information, attention, and all the patience a woman needs at this stage.
What Does it Take To Be a Doula?
However, to be a doula, it takes more than just wanting to; you need to have knowledge on the subject in order to provide security and correct information to the couple even during pregnancy. In fact, her work starts as soon as she is sought during pregnancy and she must guide and counsel the parents-to-be, preparing them physically and emotionally for each stage of labor and birth.
The doula must be aware of every stage of pregnancy, follow each step, and be notified when labor begins. Her role is to bring calm to the moment, prepare the environment, as well as help with relaxation and finding more comfortable positions for labor and for birth itself.
Owing to her training, she can offer options and relaxation methods to help ease pain, such as warm baths, massage, and breathing techniques.
After birth, the connection between doula and family continues, with caring for the baby and breastfeeding being subjects of ongoing support and advice. A common doubt about doulas concerns their role during childbirth.
Many people believe that the doula is responsible for delivering the baby, but this is not true! Doulas are not allowed to perform any medical procedures, exams, or care for the health or first aid care of the newborn. The presence of a doula does not replace the need for a doctor, nurse, or appropriate team to deliver a baby.
The doula does not and should not discuss procedures or decide what to do during birth; this responsibility lies only with a midwife or physician specialized in obstetrics.
To find your doula, talk with friends who have recently given birth and had the support of a doula—they can give you recommendations. If you don’t know anyone, there are some websites that direct you to teams in each region of each state. It’s worth having a chat with them, learning about the benefits, and discussing costs.
How to Become a Doula? Is There a Course?
Yes, to become and work as a doula, you need preparation and to take a course. Of course, the desire and love for maternity and birth will make all the difference on your journey.
Many women discover a new side of themselves they didn’t even know existed, finding the essence of life and seeing far beyond the workings of the body for the birth of a new life.
There are groups around the world for the training and preparation of new doulas. The course involves both theoretical and practical classes, with hands-on demonstrations and reinforcement and explanations of the importance of natural birth.
It also highlights the dangers and problems of unnecessary cesareans and the excessive use of medication during procedures. Doulas are made aware, through World Health Organization recommendations, that birth without interventions is the best option in almost all cases.
How Do You Become a Doula?
To become a doula, you need to be over 18 years old; you don’t need to work in healthcare or even be a mother, you may have had a cesarean or have no experience with motherhood. You just need to have a love for the subject, interest, and the calling to be able to dedicate yourself and experience these moments.
A doula’s work is far from being a dream job, as it is exhausting, comes with challenges and unexpected situations, and has no set working hours—it can even happen in the middle of the night.
There are training institutions for doulas, but the job is not recognized as a profession. The work is usually voluntary or doulas may provide private services/consultations with varying fees. One of the best-known and most recommended institutions in this field is GAMA, which offers courses in several places in Brazil and in a few other countries.
The presence of a doula is not always allowed in all maternity hospitals; often, you have to choose between the father or the doula as a companion. As a result, home births have been increasing in number.
However, a law is currently being processed to allow doulas into maternity wards without any issue, as long as they are properly certified and registered with the necessary health institutions. The law is being called the “doula law,” and while some states have already passed it, here in São Paulo it is still being processed.
See Also: Natural Birth – The Strength and Beauty of Being a Woman
Photos: PROWendy Kenin, Wendy Kenin
