RE: [ozmidwifery] doula article

[jo]

Hi Denise, No need to apologies - not offended. Just trying to share my experiences and make sense of it all. It's all constructive - an important topic to be discussing on a list such as this. I've found that the support I give to women choosing to birth in hospital has generally been welcomed by the midwives, however there have been the odd few that have been less than impressed. This reaction always intrigues me as I see how busy the midwives are, particularly at the large teaching hospital in my area. It is truely like a baby factory and the midwives are run off their feet. I find this reaction very strange and would like to try and understand it - any ideas?????? Jo From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Denise Hynd Sent: Tuesday, 7 September 2004 1:31 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Jo I was not intending any reflection on doulas and I apologise if that is how my comments came across.   I was reflecting on my expereinces and understanding of birth! Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: jo To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 9:36 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi all, I have been reading the discussion on doula's with interest and am intrigued by some of the more negative comments towards the 'doula' profession. I tirelessly work for Homebirth Access Sydney and Homebirth Australia - co-ordinating both groups. Which also involves supporting Maternity Coalition and the wonderful Justine Caines. I consider myself a staunch advocate for women centred and best practice care. I run Active Birth workshops and I work as a doula in my local community. I have 4 children - 3 of whom were born at home with a midwife and a doula, as well as other family members. Working as a doula in the hospital system has been so eliquently explained by Honey and Vida that i won't go into it. What I really wanted to remark on is the role of the doula when 1-2-1 midwifery led care is present. I'm interested to understand the idea that if we were to have a system like NZ why there wouldn't be the need for doula's?  Our roles are very different and a doula can be a benefit in all birth settings. I was approached by our local homebirth midwife and asked to assist her and her clients at their homebirths, which i have been doing for about 6 months now. The midwife pays me - not the women and we work really well together, supporting one another the whole way. Which of course in turn supports the woman and her family. It is working wonderfully and have only had positive feedback from the families whom i have supported. Doula's benefit women, but they can also benefit midwives - even in an ideal system! cheers Jo Hunter From: Nigel & Berni [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, 6 September 2004 9:44 PM To: jojo Subject: Fw: [ozmidwifery] doula article   ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 6:44 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Honey I agree with all you say I am only asking for the full story to be in the article that as you say Doulas are needed by women in a system that is not women centred. Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Honey Acharya To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 1:21 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article HI Kylie I am a Doula (or Birth Buddy as we call ourselves) and can put you in touch with the midwifes we work with here in the public hospital in Townsville. We are welcomed by them and work well together. if that interests you email me directly [EMAIL PROTECTED]   In response to Denyse I know 1-2-1 midwifery care would be the best option, but as we do not have that yet (I am one of the many consumers here pushing for it and a birth centre currently) Doulas fill that gap and more. On average a woman here going through our hospital system can see up to 35 different midwives through the course of her pregnancy and birth. On the other hand I develop a relationship with my clients,building trust and knowing them is so important, I do not leave them when my shift is up, I stay and support throughout the length of the labour. I also know of quite a few women who have other women, support people, mothers and or doulas even when they have 1-2-1 midwifery care.  As someone else said we support the partners too, how often does a one on one widwife have time or take the time to make sure the partner has drinks and food and emotional support. I know Andrea Robertson has written negatively about Doulas saying that our community should provide the support we need but Andrea has supported at births too she just doesn't use the word Doula when she does it.  Also often our community doesn't always provide the support we need, and in fact many of us would prefer not to ask our mother or sister into the birthing room for a variety of reasons. In my community a huge amount of people here are army based often without family or friends nearby, and the women I have supported so far have become dear and close friends. I recenlty have been volunteering for a refugee family and this woman no longer lives in a tribal situation where the women gather round her and support her so I have become her friend and  birth support person and advocate making sure she gets an interpretor when she goes for medical visits, taking the whole family to the beach for the first time in their lives, making them meals every two days since the baby has been born so that she can stick to her tradition of being pampered for the first 12 days and not overdoing it. I don't do that for profit but because i believe every woman should have that support if she wants it.     I don't think everyone wants or needs a doula but I believe that just as having a midwife is an important option in childbirth it is wonderful to have the choice of a doula.   I'll stop raving now   Honey Acharya Birth Buddies   ----- Original Message ----- From: Kylie Carberry To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 10:04 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi everyone Wellbeing mag would now like me to do an article on doulas, also for the baby special.  I have a couple of doulas to talk to and am looking at adding the thoughts of a hospital based midwife who has seen the benefits of doulas in the labour ward. Let me know if anyone would like to help out.   Kylie Carberry Freelance Journalist PH: 02 42970115 m: 0418 220 638 a: 21 Susan Ave, Warilla, NSW 2528 e: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Feeling spent? Apply here for emergency plastic surgery. 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