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The Birth Mag

Midwives and Doulas Working Together

January 21, 2020

by  Sinéad Morgan

The midwife and doula collaboration truly puts a new family in a fantastic position to have a healthy, happy, and satisfying outcome during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. With ample evidence from lower cesarean section rates, less inductions, shorter labors and even better Apgar scores for baby, when a birthing person is supported by a midwife or doula; this team is a powerhouse for any expecting family. Which is why the two of them working together seamlessly is absolutely imperative to positive, nurturing beginnings for the whole family. While a doula is specifically hired by the family or birthing person for non-medical, unbiased, evidence based, emotional and physical support. The midwife is hired for clinical support in addition to emotional and physical support, and more often than not is chosen over an obstetrician because of their ability to view pregnancy and childbirth as a natural process rather than an ailment to be intervened with. Here are 5 ways that doulas and midwives can work together to ensure a successful and flourishing relationship.

Doulas must practice within their scope of practice.

As with any collaboration, there is the risk of “stepping on each others toes”. In order to avoid this a well trained doula should always keep in mind the importance of practicing within their scope of practice. The doula is hired as nonmedical support, this should be specified to the client at the time of hire and reminded throughout the relationship when necessary. Not only is this imperative in order to maintain a positive relationship with the entire birth team, but also in order to support positive healthy outcomes for the birthing person and baby. Unfortunately there have been instances where hospitals, or obstetric practices have disallowed patients to utilize doula support for this reason. While a doula may have a basic understanding of certain pregnancy/childbirth issues and may be able to help a birthing person and their family understand some of those issues, it is the midwives responsibility to monitor, interpret and treat the health and safety of the baby.

Fill in the gaps.

Just as a doulas role is to fill in the gaps of the birthing persons partner when he or she is not present, the doulas role is to also fill in the gap when the midwife is not present. The midwife may not always be present throughout the entire labor process (especially during a hospital birth) as she may often have other laboring people at the same time. In addition to this, the midwives attention may not always be on the emotional needs of the birthing person; for example the birthing person or babies safety may be of utmost importance and so the midwife is unable to provide physical comfort for pain, or emotional support during a situation that may need immediate attention. This is where the doula must fill in the gaps and really has the potential to provide calm for the birthing person, midwife and even their partner in a possibly emergency situation.

Midwife, invite doulas to prenatal appointments.

Something that midwives might take into consideration is extending an invite to their patients doula to a prenatal appointment. If this is the midwives first time working with the doula, one of the patients prenatal appointments can be a great opportunity to briefly meet with the doula (while obviously still keeping the focus on the patient). This is a great way to get on the same page as the doula and discuss any boundaries/protocols. The midwife will usually see the patient more throughout the pregnancy than the doula, so this is a fantastic chance to include the doula, not only fostering a relationship between doula and midwife but also between the doula and birthing person. All of which will lead to happier outcomes for all.

Advocate for each other.

As doulas and midwives, it’s safe to say we all have one thing in common and that is to help a birthing person and their family achieve whatever birth plans they desire (within reason) safely, while feeling supported throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Because of this mutual goal, this is a great reason to advocate for each other. Doulas should be recommending and discussing the benefits of hiring a midwife to women with low risk pregnancies and midwives should be doing the same!

Remember who you are working for.

At the end of the day both the doula and midwife are striving to provide the birthing person with the best care possible. When both professionals keep this in mind throughout the pregnancy, labor and delivery, being mindful of the fact that the birthing person wants BOTH parties there this can really foster a positive work environment for all.

Both midwives and doulas are deeply rooted in cultural practices that have existed for centuries. However, today most birthing people in the United States are giving birth in hospitals and are attended to by doctors. Yet still, our maternal mortality rate has been on the rise while most of the world maternal mortality rates have been declining. Not to mention that more than half of these deaths were preventable. As a doula myself, I do not take the responsibility and privilege of working with midwives lightly and always encourage birthing people to utilize their expertise throughout their reproductive years.

The ultimate goal is for us to complement each other in the birthing space, coming together as professionals for birthers and their families and respecting and welcoming each others position with open arms. I wholeheartedly believe that we as birth workers have the ability to make birth safer and remind birthing people of our innate power as life givers.

“The midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal, and leaves it alone unless there’s trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble; if he leaves it alone, it’s a miracle.”

Sheila Stubbs

References:

  • https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
  • https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/maternal-mortality-in-the-united-states/

Sinéad Morgan is a full time mom of 3 living in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Postpartum Doula currently working on her Birth Doula Certification, a freelance writer and breastfeeding educator with a passion for holistic healing and supporting families throughout their reproductive years. She can be found on Instagram @nurtureempowerdoula and at www.nurtureempowerdoula.com.

Filed Under: Birth Community, Birth Support, Midwifery

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Happy new year! 2020 was rough on the Birth Mag cr Happy new year! 2020 was rough on the Birth Mag crew, and we know it was for many of you as well. This turned out to be a terrible year to launch a new magazine project, but it's over, and we're moving forward.

What's next then? First and foremost, the next print issue is coming! Look for a sneak peek of the upcoming cover next week. We are also settling in to a more consistent release of digital content going forward. 

We are so thankful for everyone who has hung in there with us through the tumultuous ride that was 2020, and look forward to bringing you so much more in 2021!

#thebirthmag #birthwork #birthworkers #midwifery #doulalife
New on the website this week, from Dr. Ali Davis, New on the website this week, from Dr. Ali Davis, DC (@dr_ali_thechiro ): 

"Someone you know is LGBTQIA+, possibly even someone you love.
If you’ve been in practice for any length of time, chances are you have LGBTQIA+ clients.
Even if you don’t know which ones they are.
Even if you practice in a small rural town.
Even if you think your practice serves a 'different' niche of clientele."

Read the full article at www.thebirthmag.com 

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These days, it almost seems like a buzz word in the birth world. A free download. A hashtag. A commodity, even.

In reality, though, sustainability in birthwork, particularly in the doula-world, means getting to do the work that sets your soul on fire for longer than a few years.

Sustainability means creating a business from which you don’t need to regularly take self-care, or 'burnout breaks'. It’s so much more than warm baths, massages, mantras and aromatherapy.

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Read the entire article on www.thebirthmag.com (link in bio).

#birthwork #birthworkers #doulalife #midwifery #birthsupport #thebirthmag
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Read the full article on the website. Link in bio!

Photo by @natbro.photo

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New on the website this week: Raichal Reed (@mcdon New on the website this week: Raichal Reed (@mcdonald_herbalist ) shares some information about waterbirth and Covid-19. 

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You can read more on TheBirthMag.com! Link in bio.

#waterbirth #birthduringcovid19
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The lactation issue is out! We had an abundance of The lactation issue is out! We had an abundance of delays, but they have now all been mailed. If you've been waiting on this issue, keep an eye on your mailbox, because it is on the way!
Community led, community based. The Birth Mag is l Community led, community based. The Birth Mag is looking for new submissions! Are you a birth worker? Are you interested in helping your fellow birth workers learn and grow to be more inclusive and educated on the issues birthing people are facing today? We want to hear from you! Compensation starts at $35 for any article that is used. Please e-mail us at thebirthmag@gmail.com for more information or to submit an article.
#Repost @thevaginachronicles
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There is so much to learn from this week. So much to give and receive. .
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This list is not an extensive and in no particular order but it is some of the HARD and persistent work that we must do. .
.
Black people breastfeed. Even when we tell you no after you’ve asked 15 times if we want formula. Even when we are afraid of what it looks like and how we can continue It. Even when we see how you look at our breasts not understanding how different they can be. Even when we must figure out breastfeeding complexities by ourself. Even when we had to do it for you, before we could do it for our own children. .
.
WE BREASTFEED!
#Repost @blkbfingweek • • • • • • HAPP #Repost @blkbfingweek
• • • • • •
HAPPY BLACK BREASTFEEDING WEEK! 🤩

By our histories and by the truths we know from living, our possibilities are greater than any imagination. 

For all the days that have felt hopeless, we invite you to enter a period of nourishment to revive.

Where there has been loss, grief and uncertainty, our restoration is key to being present and imagining healthy futures. 

And all through #BBW20, we reclaim our time, lives and families. 

Let’s gooooooo! 

#ReviveRestoreReclaim #blackbreastfeedingweek

Artist: Andrea Pippins @andreapippins
#Repost @storkandcradleclasses • • • • • #Repost @storkandcradleclasses
• • • • • •
New York, New York

Today starts Native Breastfeeding Week. Here are some native breastfeeding facts you should know.

-“The mission of the Native Breastfeeding Week community is to reflect the diversity of native breast-feeding experiences and to encourage and uplift visibility of native breast-feeding experiences”
-“this community also helps to address the inequality and injustice of indigenous mothers and their abilities to practice their roles in accordance to the tribal communities they dissent from”
-American Indian and American Native rates of breastfeeding initiation is 73% versus the national average of 83%.
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-many native mother’s insurance doesn’t cover donor milk which could greatly benefit infants.
-many native women lack breastfeeding support because of social and cultural norms.

Facts are from @ja_lyonhawk article posted at illusa.org 2019

Please visit Native Breastfeeding Week’s Facebook Page for info about the virtual events you can support this week. ❤️

#indigenousbreastfeeding #indigenouswomen #americanindian 
#nativebreastfeedingweek #blackibclc #ibclc #doulasupport #doulas #blackmidwives #midwives #breastfeedingsupport #storkandcradle
#Repost @taprootdoula • • • • • • Blac #Repost @taprootdoula
• • • • • •
Black Maternal Health Week is EVERY week •
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Art @designedbydg •
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The best way I’ve improved my ability to care for black parents is to listen to them. But before I could learn to listen, I had to commit to the LIFELONG task of confronting my biases against them. I must also commit over and over to the a promise that I would confront bias and racism I witness in my colleagues, providers, leadership and institution. This involves being brave, frank and unapologetic, and well-versed in the mechanisms for reporting abusive and problematic  behavior, even in situations with an imbalance of power (nurse v. physician, etc.) Anti-blackness is the default in our culture. As healthcare workers if we don’t intentionally, diligently, and sustainably work to confront and destroy our biases, these biases WILL lead to black birthing people and babies’ harm and death.
•
Every birth worker - doctor, nurse, doula, midwife - needs to invest in an anti-racism training - @rebirthequity ~ @theblackdoula ~ @shishi.rose ~ @abide_women are some leaders who receive compensation to help you confront your biases against black birthing people. Anti-racism training is not CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING. Cultural competency training is required by most employers, it’s been around for a while, and it doesn’t change s#%^.
•
Follow 
@blackmamasmatter @4kira4moms to keep up to date on ways you can learn more and legislation that is working towards the goal of protecting black parents and babies from medical racism that causes harm.

#blackmamasmatter #maternalmortality #blackmaternalhealthweek
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