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Subject:
From:
"Pat Gorman, CLE" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 5 Jan 1996 22:47:00 PST
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This is in response to Judy Holtzer Knopf and the post about Doulas.
       I am a trained doula,  DONA trained by Penny Simpkin, and currently
working on my certification.  A doula is a non medical person who provides
emotional and physical support to women in the last trimester of pregnancy
,while in labor and in the immediate postpartum period.   A montrice is some
one with medical training who can monitor the labor while providing
emotional and physical support to the woman.  I could see student nurses
fitting in very nicely in that role but not as a doula. I would have
concerns that the role as a non medical person would get cloudly to a
student nurse.
      I also have some hesitation about doulas being hired  by the hospital
it would be difficult to advocate for the client when necessary. The  doula
never makes decisions for the woman but some time has to advocate for the
woman so her birth plan is respected.  As for the woman who chooses an
epidural she still needs the emotional support of a doula.
The first thing that a doula learns is to keep her own agenda to herself and
respect the choices that the woman has made.   Part of the role of the doula
in the last trimester is to help the woman make good informed decisions.
Labor is much different when you have someone to support and guide a woman .
Sometime the constant  presence of a supportive
 person  allows the woman to go through labor  feeling safe and confident
that she is capable of laboring and birthing her baby and the idea of using
drugs  during labor is often  rejected by the woman.  Often this is by a
woman who was certain they would need the drugs.
 As a doula  I believe that every woman who wants a doula should have a
doula.  In my area  I am welcomed a t the local hospitals and  work well
with the nurses while I am there.  Thier response is that they can do thier
jobs better when a doula is providing  constant emotional and physical
suppoert to the laboring woman.
Judy, if you have anymore questions  or a response  let me know.

Pat Gorman  CLE and Trained Doula
Sublimity, Oregon   USA

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