What is a Doula and What do Doulas Do? ( aka 'Things that make you go HMMM...')

What is a Doula? What do Doulas Do?

In writing a blog about why people might consider using the services of a doula, either for themselves or to support a family member, I wanted to acknowledge the reasons some people might be reluctant to engage a doula.

If you have never heard of a 'doula', you are in good company! Some are troubled by the term, believing a 'doula' sounds a bit ‘woo woo’, or the term may have negative connotations due to someone having had a bad experience with a doula in the past. For the record, a doula is a non-medical, service providing professional whose services complement medical professionals. We provide emotional, social, practical and spiritual support to a person whilst they journey through a specific life transition - it may be birth, a life limiting illness, or the end of life.

 Some people in the medical and healthcare professions have been quick to dismiss doulas in the past. As a member of the allied health profession myself, I can hazard a guess as to why this has occurred; however, there is much anecdotal evidence from individuals, families, aged care providers and GPs, that doulas are indeed making a difference to people’s quality of care. I believe part of the reason doulas can have such a positive impact is because they don’t have competing duties to manage, are frequently more available in terms of their time and presence, and unlike most other professions working in big organisations and systems, have the capacity to be a consistent companion with someone throughout their particular journey. When you think about it, this is pretty rare.

Perhaps people imagine that doulas are promoting themselves as an alternative to medical care. This point could not be further from the truth! Doulas who are working ethically understand their scope of practice - their services complement the work of medical professionals but do not replace them. We can provide another valuable layer of support to an individual's holistic care plan and fill some gaps that the current health system may not have the time or resources to deliver.

Most people can acknowledge there are gaps in our current care systems, and this is not the fault of our health care professionals. Our care services are stretched to their limits - family members, carers and health workers are exhausted.  Most care providers do not have the time to perform the services a dementia doula or end-of-life doula provides. Nor can they offer a genuine model of continuous care spanning the full trajectory of one’s illness due to these time deficits.

Let's say you or a loved one recently received a diagnosis of vascular dementia. As both an end-of -life doula and dementia doula, I might journey with you and your family from the time of diagnosis through to the dying phase, supporting you along this journey according to your needs. Together we might -

• discuss the trajectory of your diagnosis and plan for what to expect moving forward

• make the home a more dementia - accessible space

• explore strategies to use in response to new challenges at home

• explore decisions around care choices - choosing to stay at home with additional supports or moving to a care community

• plan the funeral

• complete life review work

Following the death of the person living with dementia, I might -

• assist with funeral arrangements

• facilitate bereavement support for family members

• create a memorial service with you

  
  

This is just one example of continuous care a doula might provide.

 Be mindful that each doula likely possesses different skill sets - some have additional qualifications and training, some have industry experience which compliments their doula role and each is a uniquely individual person with a different style and energy, shaped by their unique personality and life experiences. At Ground Zero Counselling, I offer expertise as a clinical counsellor and psychotherapist, in conjunction with training as both a dementia doula and end of life doula.

There are plenty of doulas out there – end of life doulas, birth doulas, dementia doulas. Just as I would with any service provider, I invite you to do your research, see what services each doula offers, weigh this against what you need, and arrange for a chat to see if the doula is a good fit for you and your family.

The Choice is Yours!