Kirsten said: >>>>>>I apologise i left NZ in 2002, as of then i should state i knew of no doulas, although there could have been. I find the whole thing rather confusing, can i ask why you choose to be a doula and not a midwife? (I'm seriously asking, not being sarcastic either.)<<<<<<
No need to apologise Kirsten at all - I assure you I did not take offence :o) - just thought I should say "Hi" so that people know that there are a couple/few doulas at least in NZ and I was explaining how I see things having moved to NZ as a doula already..... Only yesterday I have found another CBE and "doula" in NZ who contacted me from Auckland and I also spoke with a disillusioned midwife here who wants to know more about being a doula.... You ask a huuuuge question..... I see the Doula and the Midwife as two distinct roles that do however complement one another. I have no passion to learn about the clinical aspects of pregnancy/birth care although I do strongly believe in having a good knowledge about the natural physiological aspects. I am proud to be a laywoman whilst at the same time I constantly strive to improve my knowledge and experience by attending workshops/courses about pregnancy and birth, and by being with women. Pregnancy, labour and birth for me cover the emotional/mental/spiritual/practical/physical - a really holistic look at things. In my experience, I do not see the majority of midwives getting alongside women who are pregnant and preparing for labour/birth on an emotional and spiritual level - most are too overworked to be able to invest this much time in doing that and some don't have the inclination to either - or they may see birth as much more a medical/clinical event than that - and that is ok if the women that they are supporting also see it in that way. However, there are many women who *do* see the experience in a more holistic way. I think there are many midwives that have become medicalised without actually realising it, and equally (as in any walk of life/vocation/job there are the opposite extremes) there are many who have a wonderful philosophy towards pregnancy/labour/birth. Midwives usually have to work within the policies/procedures of their hospital or Trust Board or whatever governing body they are under. There are always *far* too many politics involved when it comes to working for these bodies - something very simple is made much more (dangerously, in my view) complicated. I have chosen not to be part of that. Being an independent "consumer" (as I am called!) I feel I have more power to make a difference... I am self-employed and offer myself "out there" for the woman and her partner to "choose" to have me if they feel that they need that extra support, and I also offer my services voluntarily/or on sliding scale so that it is not just those that can afford that get.... I have a passion for my role and I share with them my experiences and try to encourage them to take the responsibility for the birth of their baby back from "the medical world" and to learn about the natural physiology of birth, about their own bodies and to give them tools to really use together. I aim to enable them to challenge their assumptions about labour and birth and turn their negative connotations into positive ones ... to stop seeing the midwife or medical team as the people that "get them through" the uncomfortable/painful event that gets them the wonderful bit - their baby!! I encourage them to work *with* their midwives so that those midwives can truly become the "Guardians" of birth. With women depending on themselves and their partners to work through labour, midwives will be less tired and frustrated and in the long term we will develop a *confident* birthing population rather than one that is based on *fear*.... There are tools out there written in plain English which can help women and their partners learn about and trust their own bodies and reduce their fear. I am currently 7 months pregnant and working with my husband through "The Pink Kit" which I think is a wonderful resource (see www.birthingbetter.com) and we are also learning hypnobirthing relaxation techniques so that we can change our outlook on birth together to be positive through and through, whilst at the same time we are also realistic about the *small* percentage of birth situations that do require medical assistance - and thankfully we do have the expertise and skills out there in our midwives and doctors for those times. I have seen labour/birth be a painless and joyful process from start to finish - the mind is a *very* powerful thing that we all underestimate. If only we would listen to it more...... I hope that explains a bit where I am coming from... Best wishes Vida www.nurturenz.com www.kiwidoula.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
