Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article

[Marilyn Kleidon]

You know i think when doulas  are seen as a threat to the midwife's role either in the home as an independent practitioner or in the hospital setting no matter how tuned in or turned on or turned off the hospital is then the doula becomes an adverary and she is a threat.    However she is not meant to be this but rather a compassionate support person who has up to date knowledge about whatever childbirth setting the woman has chosen. She is there to make sure the woman is massaged, has hot towels, gets her feet rubbed, relieves dad to go to the toilet, remains as active as possible, explain what is happening to the woman her partner and relatives (which may or may not include previous children). She is not there to replace anybody just to add to. If we are honest we all know that on some shifts we can provide all of the above to women and on other shifts with the best of intentions we just can not. In a busy homebirth practice this can be true too, however to be honest doulas at homebirths are often want to be midwives  getting their feet wet and if they are welcomed by everyone can provide and have a rewarding experience. But again they provide massages etc sometimes to dad and the midwife too. Some doulas are payed in money, others barter, and for others it is simply the birth experience and they would pay to be there.    Many women choose a doula when in a hospital setting they feel their partner will not be up to the negotiating with health care professionals, or will not be able to help them resist using drugs they do not want to use...simple as that. And it is true many men become so overwhelmed by their partners labour they cannot or do not advocate like this. Of course as a doula you have to realise that you have absolutely no right but that you can support the woman and her partner in their choices.  In most cases doulas are chosen to help the woman have as drug free a birth as possible, if this is taken as an indicment of our system then so be it.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Callum & Kirsten To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 3:10 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article I think i have to agree with you Denise. In NZ where the maternity system is different to here in Australia, and there is more woman centered midwifery care there are no doulas that i know of. In fact one of my lecturers at Auckland University of Technology, told us one day that Doulas were a threat to midwives and their role. To me (and i may be naive) that's what care/support i expect to give as a midwife.   I also think the reason woman need doulas should also be brought up in the article, as a kiwi and a student midwife i am really intrigued.   I hope you look into it Kylie. Certainly also why australia needs them when NZ a different maternity system doesn't. Maybe it does say something about the current system?   Kirsten Darwin ~~~start life with a midwife~~~ ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 6:48 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Jo, Interesting where are these women to birth?   With the women's family members sounds like quite a group at each of the labours and births?   My experience of the most satisfying birthing expereinces for all has been at home when the woman has turned in and worked with her baby more than any one or any thing in the environment and the hormones have flowed the labour has progressed and it has been her resultant behaviour which the midwife and partner have tuned into and worked around also!! for example I think of several births where the Primp couple have been together in the toilet or bathroom alot of the time with the lights down low in the hall where I was except when I came to listen to the baby after listening to her sounds and knowing she is progressing or not and then making suggestions, giving feedback between contractions and rest periods.   Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Dean & Jo To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 9:15 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi Denise, I am doulaing with three women who are accessing one on one midwifery care also (not to mention the students they are having follow them too!)  I suppose it is up to the individual woman.  Some want the midwife there for the birth but want the doula there for moral support and support for her partner, other children or just for her.  Despite the fact that midwives -especially the independant ones- offer this type of care when it comes to the crunch, there is a job for her to do and sometimes her focus is shifted from supporting the hubby or even the woman -eye to eye back rubbing etc- due to the clinical skills being required.  Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 10:15 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Kylie I am going to paly devil's advocate and ask if yoyr article will talk of the pros and cons of Doula's?   For example I and others see the increase and popularity of Doula's as a reflection of the lack of the women cenrtred-ness of the system and world's best practice 1-2-1 midwifery options, I am not aware of women who have the latter employing doula's.   My exeprience is that such women and their families feel confident to get on with the pregnancy labour, birth and psot natal time themselves with their midwives as the only paid supports? Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Kylie Carberry To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 8:04 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi everyone Wellbeing mag would now like me to do an article on doulas, also for the baby special.  I have a couple of doulas to talk to and am looking at adding the thoughts of a hospital based midwife who has seen the benefits of doulas in the labour ward. Let me know if anyone would like to help out.   Kylie Carberry Freelance Journalist PH: 02 42970115 m: 0418 220 638 a: 21 Susan Ave, Warilla, NSW 2528 e: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Feeling spent? Apply here for emergency plastic surgery. Virgincreditcard.com.au -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. 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