Hi everyone. I share Robin Hollen's shock over the mom who deliberately
lied to her about previous breast surgery. It brought to the surface once
again a major concern of mine about our profession. LCs, in practice and
in philosophy, are the modern evolvuents (?) of the doula. However, in
order to "fit in" to the modern ambience, we also must be an extension of
the medical profession, which has a completely difference personna in the
culture. Many years ago, I was shocked when, during an interview with the
head nurse of the regional Ministry of Health, she told me very frankly
that women lied when speaking to the public health nurses. Because of
this revelation, I have tried mightily in my dealings with moms to
present them with a peer, a doula-image, rather than a "professional". I
know that sometimes I confuse them and force them to choose between my
advice and that of a public health nurse or even a doctor. Many women
cannot handle that. I feel that I walk a constant schizophrenic tightrope
between being a doula in whom women can trust with their confidences, and
being a professional in whom women can trust to give them the most
updated information and care.
Does anyone else out there share my agonies? Most of the time, I feel
more like an actress doing improvosations than anything else.....
Judy K. in Israel, playing the heavy today.