Doulas - Ancient Roots; Modern Necessity.
When I had my “light bulb” moment at the end of 2021 and began to research doula training opportunities, I confided in a couple of close friends and shared my thoughts and ideas. “What’s a doula?” was the most common response and I have to admit even I was struggling to explain it succinctly! My rationale for becoming a doula was that I thought the role would incorporate all of the aspects of being a midwife that I had loved, without all of the parts I wished didn’t come with the job! After beginning my training with the amazing Vicki Hobbs who runs the Doula Training Academy, I quickly realised that the role of a doula goes so much deeper than I had initially thought…
The history of the doula goes hand-in-hand with the history (or HERstory as Dr Rachel Reed refers to) of childbirth and midwifery practice. Pregnancy and birth had always been considered “women’s business”, with labouring women being tended to by the wise women (midwives) of the community, supported by close female relatives and friends. This network was invaluable in providing physical and emotional support during labour, words of kindness and encouragement and crucial support in the postpartum period such as assistance with breastfeeding and newborn care, caring for other children whilst the mother focused on her new baby and providing nourishment to aid in the woman’s recuperation from birth.
Alongside that of the traditional midwife, the role of the doula diminished with the medicalisation of birth and the shift from home into hospitals. Birth moved from being considered a social, normal life event to being labelled as dangerous and unpredictable. Women went from being surrounded by knowledgeable support people in a familiar environment to being allocated a brightly-lit clinical “labour room” full of confronting medical equipment, facing long periods of time alone or with only a single, inexperienced birth partner for support. The irony is not lost here - with the advancement of medical technology comes increased interventions and with it the need for doulas. As doulas, part of our role is to educate women on the power of their own bodies and to highlight the fact that they are the decision-makers regarding ALL aspects of their care. Armed with this knowledge, women can then reclaim their birth experiences and avoid unnecessary interventions by saying NO.
Interestingly the origin of the word “doula” has negative connotations, coming from a Greek word meaning “female slave”. However, it has still become a universally-recognised word in modern language. For some people, the word “doula” conjures up a stereotypical image of a hippy-type woman clad in beads, clutching crystals and creating conflict between themselves and the healthcare professionals. I still remember the way in which senior midwives used to scoff at the idea of women using doulas, resenting the idea that doulas would dare to encroach on a midwife’s role. Through my work, I want to break down these stereotypical views, normalise the presence of doulas within the birth space and put the woman BACK into the centre of our care.
For a more in-depth look into the role of a doula and what the benefits of having a doula are, click here to read my blog post. I like to think of a doula as “mothering the mother” - this principle reflects back to the time when birth was all about normality, community and support, and highlights the importance of caring for the mother, a concept which has sadly been lost with the medicalisation of birth and a focus on “producing” a healthy newborn above all else.
A supportive hand on the shoulder is a powerful gesture - it says “I’ve got you”.
My name is Mel Howells and I am a doula who has trained with the Doula Training Academy. Every pregnancy and birth are different, and no two women will experience the same journey to motherhood. The philosophy which underpins my services acknowledges every woman’s uniqueness and my work is tailored to meet your every need. Birth can be a magical experience and I want you to look back on your birth with positivity and pride. If this resonates with you and you want to learn more about what I offer, please feel free to send me an email at mel@serenebirths.com.au or reach out to me via social media on the links below. I would be honoured to walk alongside you on your birth journey. If you would like to find out more about our offerings, please click here for packages or contact us.
Further reading:
“Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage: Weaving ancient wisdom with modern knowledge” by Rachel Reed
“Doula Support and Attitudes of Intrapartum Nurses: A Qualitative Study from the Patient's Perspective” by Karla Papagni and Ellen Buckner - available at Doula Support and Attitudes of Intrapartum Nurses: A Qualitative Study from the Patient's Perspective - PMC (nih.gov)