Mothers in Ireland continue to have their
choices in childbirth challenged by the Irish maternity system. Doula services
which are now available in Ireland
and gaining popularity are not being welcomed by the medical profession.
Although birth assistants or doulas have been around longer
than obstetricians, the term and role is not very well known in Ireland.
Birth assistants are making resurgence in maternity care throughout the world.
They are the newest member of the birth team. Birth assistants bring essential
added support not only to the mother, but also to the doctor or midwife, the
hospital staff, and, especially, the father, during the birth experience. Birth
assistants are not a replacement for the special support that dads provide.
Today medical interventions and cesareans are at an all time high. Ireland’s
cesarean section rate continues to climb. With these developments more and more
women are educating themselves on ways to reduce the risks of intervention and
cesareans such as hiring a doula.
There have been more than 15 randomized worldwide studies over 20 years on the
effects of doulas on labour. The results are surprising to many;
* 50% reduction of cesarean rate
* 25% shorter labour
* 60% reduction in epidural requests
* 30% reduction in analgesia use
* 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Many Irish hospitals refuse to acknowledge the positive benefits that doulas
bring and insist their staff provide sufficient care. But in a 2002 JAMA study
of 7000 women (Hodnett) found that continuous support by hospital employees had
no effect on reducing the caesarean rates. The benefit was greatest when the
caregiver was not a hospital employee.
Ireland
continues to see climbing caesarean rates and doulas are SHOWN to reduce
caesarean rates – plus it doesn’t cost the hospital, because
doulas are privately hired by the mothers.
Irish hospitals are already stretched to capacity…and the birth rate in Ireland is
continuing to rise and maternity units continue to close.
Doula Ireland
has recently been featured in the Irish Daily Star, The Irish Times, Irish
Parents magazine. Doulas will also be featured in an upcoming Sunday Tribune.
Tracy Donegan
http://www.doulaIreland.com
