What is a doula?

At present, the figure of a doula has nothing to do with this concept of slavery, but rather the woman who accompanies the pregnant woman during childbirth. This term has been used since the 70s and it was the anthropologist Dana Raphael who coined the current meaning of doula for the first time in 1974.

Is a doula a midwife?

A doula is not a midwife, they have different but complementary roles during childbirth. The role of doula is more related to a spiritual accompaniment, While the matron perform the sanitary functions necessary during childbirth.

One of the main problems is that the role of the doulas is not regulated so, if there are misunderstandings or if the doula does not have the correct training, it can be branded as professional intrusion. According to Federation of Associations of Midwives of Spain (FAME), the midwife is:

Therefore, a doula is a person, usually a woman, who informs and accompanies in the process of motherhood, not getting in the way of medical acts nor supplying the role of midwives or gynecologists during childbirth. The doula it is not health personnel, does not attend deliveries, does not touch, or prescribe treatments, does not diagnose or perform therapies.

What training does a doula have?

Nowadays, there is no formal training in Spain, but yes in many European countries, where their services are even covered by social security. In our country, despite the fact that this profession is not recognized, doulas have joined forces to fight for its regulation, guarantee good training and offer their services with the maximum guarantee. In addition, they have to exercise their practice fulfilling a ethical or deontological code.

Also exist different types of doulas specialized in some topics, for example: preconception, infertility, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or loss.

Benefits during pregnancy

It seems that having the accompaniment of the doula is beneficial for the mother. Studies have been done that have shown that Emotional Support of the doula has benefits during labor: • Reduction by half • Decrease of a instrumentalized delivery and medicalized • 40% less use of forceps • 60% of the use of epidural • 25% reduction in duration of childbirth • Fewer number of children with Apgar tests under 7

Even the WHO (World Health Organization) has ruled on this, saying that the continuous and physical support offered during labor by a person, doula, midwife or nurse, carries great benefits.

How do I choose it?

If you decide to have a doula, the (AED) is a good way to ensure that you choose a good professional. In addition, issues such as your way of working, your specialty, how much you charge and whether you will be available to be at the delivery can be taken into account. If you decide that the doula accompanies you that day, you must be sure that she will be available 24 hours a day and "on call" from week 38 to 42. Also, if you are going to have a doula at the delivery, it is advisable to speak with him and midwives to make sure there are no issues. In addition, the counseling is not limited to the moment of delivery, but can continue during the quarantine and the, helping in the care of the baby and the mother.

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• A doula is a person, usually a woman, who informs and accompanies in the process of motherhood, not intervening in medical acts or supplying the role of midwives or gynecologists during childbirth.
• Nowadays, there is no formal training in Spain, but yes in many European countries, where their services are even covered by social security.
• The AED (Asociación Española de Doulas) is a good way to guarantee the choice of a good professional.

Pediatric specialist