Building Bridges: Questions Midwives Ask About Doulas

Over the years I have been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to talk to groups of midwives about the doula role on a number of occasions. Sometimes they are student midwives and sometimes experienced, qualified midwives. The last couple of years I have had the pleasure of talking to groups of midwives doing their Masters in Midwifery course.

In my experience, when a group of people come together to explore a subject that they know little about, but which may stir passionate feelings, it often helps to ‘park’ the burning question or worry at the beginning of the session and then come back to those questions at the end to check if they have been addressed. This teaching technique is called ‘fear in a hat’ and I use it a lot. I find it helps people to remove the noise inside their heads; they can relax knowing that their question will be answered, so they can listen and participate in the session without being distracted by a need to raise their hand or find an opportune moment to raise their query.

These are some of the questions that I have been asked recently by midwives in these sessions. I could write reams in answer to these questions but I want to pass it over to the wider doula community to create a resource of answers, thoughts and resources in response to these questions, so please do add your thoughts in the comments box below!

I know, with every cell in my body, what beauty and magic can happen when doulas and midwives work together without ego and with the sole aim of serving the new family. When it works at it’s best, it’s like a dance to ancient music; everyone knowing instinctively when to step forward, when to step back, when to speak and when to stay silent. We understand and respect the other’s role and boundaries. We orbit around the parents, creating their safe space so they can give birth in the way they need to. By honestly asking questions and generously giving of our time and energy to answer them, we build bridges and create an environment conducive to positive birth.

So doulas, over to you – gift your thoughts on the role of the doula – pick a question and answer it! If you get inspired and want to take a question and blog your answer, please come back here and put a link in the comments!

If you’re a midwife who would like to add a question, please comment below or, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, feel free to contact me and I’ll add your question to the list!

1. What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

2. If the presence of a midwife is important in the care of a woman, what then is the role of a doula?

3. Are doulas replacing midwives?

4. What do you actually do?

5. Can a midwife work as a doula at the same time?

6. In some countries there are people known as Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA). How does a doula differ from this a TBA?

7. Do you find it difficult to be a doula working in the hospital?

8. How do you support both mother and partner during the birth to ensure you are respectful of their role supporting the birthing person?

9. How do midwives communicate the severity of a situation to a doula when something goes wrong?

10. I worry that doulas do not always understand physiology and give out contradictory advice which women can then choose over the medical advice from the midwife.

11. Why is having a doula seen as an elite thing to have when underprivileged women would benefit more from your support?

12. How much do doulas understand when medical intervention is required?

13. Do woman know you shouldn’t be giving medical advice?

14. Do you think that the growth in the number of doulas is due to a lack of midwives?

15. Parents with doulas seem to be suspicious of midwives sometimes and we find this hard. Why is this?

Many thanks to The Practising Midwife Journal for the image and all they do to support mutual understanding and cooperation between midwives and doulas.