[stretchmark]

I just went to talk to the midwives in town about becoming a doula and the nurse there said that she was sensing a strangeness in the community surrounding doulas. She wouldn't get specific but the midwives later told me that in california, there was some doula drama where a doula 'used her body to prevent a woman from being taken into c/section'. And that now the state of CA is wondering if doulas should even be allowed to practice there.<br>
Can you find me a story or tell me what you know?

 

[CarrieMF]

I haven't heard of it, but if the entire state is going to not allow doula's based on 1 woman overstepping her authority then there's something wrong with the entire system.

 

[stretchmark]

Yes, I hope it is not true. If they manage to get doulas out of womens care then what is next? I am just going to have to search on it and try to find a story because the midwives couldn't confirm if it had factual nature or not. They also wanted to hear more about the woman involved's story and what the doula had to say. Hopefully I will find something.

 

[ekblad9]

I don't know of any laws but I will say that my doula was less than welcomed by my "midwife" at my last hospital birth.

 

[stretchmark]

I wonder what that is all about? I'm really wanting to help with hospital births because I think I have something to offer laboring women in that kind of setting. I hope things don't get all funky around doulas!

 

[ldsapmom]

As a doula, if this situation arised with one of my clients (where a doula was less-than-welcome) we would bypass that by not even labeling me as a doula, kwim? I would just be a friend of the mother who would be with her (by her choice) during her birth.<br><br>
I know in my area all of the doulas are SWAMPED!!! We need more doulas! COuld you ask your midwife for more specifics of the situation? Maybe she heard the information in as sketchy a way as you did -- no specifics, just an alarmist-type story repeated with few facts and perhaps taken out of context?<br><br>
Let us know if you find anything out<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">.

 

[tessamami]

I've only heard of one doula in legal trouble: a doula applied a hot compress to a mom who underwent an epidural. It burned the birthing mom.

 

[Victorian]

yes...the naked doula syndrome. I hear them all the time. I really doubt that A) it happened and B) they will ban doulas.<br><br>
V

 

[stretchmark]

I sure hope it isn't true!

 

[jeca]

I hope it's not true cause if by some chance I have another I am getting a doula, DH just isn't cutting it.

 

[LovingMotherCassie]

All I know for sure is that I am NOT giving up my doula. What's the hospital going to do, keep me from bringing somebody in with me and then keep her from touching me? When I'm in labor, I bite, so they had best leave my doula alone if they know what's good for them! *snicker*

 

[tessamami]

"not cutting it". In my opinion, and my DH's, dads deserve support and relief, too and doulas provide that. We are only responsible to the couple, and that's a good thing!<br><br>
I wondered if I "need" a doula next time, and DH said that he thinks it's a good idea, even though I think he was the BEST. I also give him credit for knowing his limitations, and DH was absolutely wonderful in early labor. When things got heavy, though he left it to the midwife, nurse and doula - and that's OK. Dads are great support, but there is no such thing as too much support, in my humble opinion.