MARCH, 2019 | The Health
Alternative
29
What is
a doula?
The supportive individual for
new parents
W
hen it comes to childbirth, most
expecting mothers want to have
a choice on what their birthing
experience should be like. They
often choose to have a doula by
their side during the period of her
pregnancy. A doula in Greek means “women’s servant”.
Doulas, also known as a birth coach supporter, are
birth attendants who are paid to assist and support a
mother before, during, or after she has given birth in
order to provide emotional support and physical help
if it is needed.
Doulas are also able to provide support and encour-
agement to the mother’s family and partner. The
purpose of a doula is to provide an expectant mother
with a safe birth with as much comfort as possible.
Using the solemnity of a doula would mean that you
will have an assistant in addition to the nurses at the
hospital.
Doulas are usually experienced mothers themselves.
This is a plus point as they can relate to the expectant
mother’s emotions and concerns and provide them
with advice, guidance, as well as comfort and encourag-
ing words. A mother in labour can choose her doula and
doctor present during the birth. However, you cannot
choose to have only a doula to be present instead of a
doctor.
DO IT FOR THEM: Parents
who are expecting their first child
should first and foremost consult
their doctors before looking for
supplemental support.
Doula and Midwife
There is a huge difference between a doula and a mid-
wife. A doula is a non-medical assistant who provides
support in terms of emotional and physical assistance
to the mother, father and also the baby throughout
labour and birth.
A doula also acts as a third party between the medical
professionals and the family. They would know the hos-
pital procedures and is able to advocate for a mother’s
birth preference to be upheld. They would also protect
the birthing mother’s space.
A midwife, on the other hand, is a medical profes-
sional and can perform medical duties. They are able
to determine when a medical emergency arises and
proceed to take necessary steps. They are not obligated
to provide emotional support for the mother. However,
they usually do nonetheless.
Not a replacement
Most partners of the expectant mothers have concerns
on what role they play when a doula is involved in the
women’s child birth. Do the doulas take over their role?
Will the fathers not experience their own baby’s birth?
Well, the role of the doula is never to take the place of
the expectant husbands or partners during the process
of labour. Instead, the doula is present to complement
and enhance the experience of the child birth.
Today, husbands play a more active role in the birth
process. A doula can suggest to the father to use certain
comfort techniques and can temporarily replace him
if he wants a break. Having a doula allows the father
to support his partner emotionally during labour and
birth and to also enjoy the experience that comes with
it.
The types of doulas
Today, husbands
play a more active
role in the birth
process. A doula
can suggest to the
father to use certain
comfort techniques
and can temporarily
replace him if he
wants a break. ”
There are actually two types of doulas. They are, ante-
partum doulas and postpartum doulas. Antepartum
doulas would usually provide support and assistance
to a mother who has been put on bed rest or is going
through a high risk-pregnancy.
These types of doulas give informational, emotional,
physical, and practical support and encouragement
in situations that are often stressful, confusing, and
emotionally draining. On the other hand, postpartum
doulas have to provide support to the mother in the
first weeks after she has given birth.
They provide informational support about feeding
and caring for the new born baby. They provide physical
support by cleaning, cooking meals, and filling in when
a new mother needs a break. They provide emotional
support by encouraging a mother when she feels and
has a lot work on her hands. — The Health
The issue with doula
practice in Malaysia
DANGEROUS:
Several doulas
in Malaysia
are spreading
dangerous, and
life-threatening
methods of
birthing.
T
he concept of having a doula
present when a mother is going
through childbirth is relatively
new in Malaysia. There have been
issues in the past regarding doulas.
Last year, a woman in Johor gave
birth in her home without a doctor
present.
The only ones with her were her
husband and her doula. During the
process of her childbirth, without the
proper medical procedures by a profes-
sional, the baby died.
To be absolutely clear, home birthing
without a doctor presents extremely high
risks for both mother and baby. The
hospital or certified birthing clinics are
still the safest place to have your baby.
There has been a few doulas in the country
who have persuaded women to resolve to home
birthing without a doctor or a midwife present.
These ‘extremists’ are now being called out by
many Malaysians. They are seen to still offer their
services to first-time parents despite several tragic
cases involving them and their teachings.
Dangerous teachings
Some of their teachings involves disregarding due
dates, unorthodox birthing positions, persuading
parents to not give birth in hospitals and clinics,
and most alarmingly, no vaccine for the baby.
They are also reported to not have proper train-
ing and certification by any authoritative bodies in
Malaysia. Therefore should be seen as a hazard to
society, especially among expecting parents. — The
Health