Being a doula: a profession of listening, support and presence for women and families
The profession of doula remains unknown in France, and sometimes misunderstood. However, it plays a unique and valuable role in the maternity journey. The support offered by a doula is 100% non-medical and non-therapeutic .
So what exactly does a doula do, and why is their role complementary to medical and paramedical professionals?
|
Article written by: Fanny who works as a Doula |
An attentive and caring ear
The heart of the doula profession is based on listening . Active, sincere listening, devoid of judgment. In a world where everything goes fast, where pregnancy and motherhood are often surrounded by injunctions and expectations, the doula offers a space where each woman can express herself freely.
Listening is not just hearing. It is welcoming fears, doubts, joys and questions . It is allowing women and families to feel seen and heard in what they are going through. This presence may seem simple, but it is profoundly transformative.
Too often, women feel isolated in their motherhood. The doula reaches out to them, accompanies them in their thoughts and emotions.
Emotional, practical and informational support
A doula's role goes far beyond listening. She is there to:
- Offer emotional support : Whether to reassure, soothe or simply be a calm presence in moments of doubt, the doula is an unconditional ally.
- Provide practical support : Through simple but essential actions, such as helping to organize daily life after the arrival of a baby, for example.
- Share reliable and clear information : Motherhood can be a maze of information. The doula helps to untangle it all, directing women to appropriate resources or competent professionals, without ever imposing choices.
Gentle body support
Some doulas also integrate a bodily dimension into their practice, always respecting the non-medical limits of their profession. Through simple gestures, massages, or rituals such as the Rebozo , they support women in their connection to their bodies.
The Rebozo, for example, is a technique which, through rocking and enveloping tightening, helps to release tension , promote relaxation and sometimes honor important stages of the maternity journey.
Non-medical but complementary support
It is essential to emphasize that the doula does not intervene on the medical level. She does not replace a midwife, an obstetrician or any other health professional. Her role is different, but perfectly complementary .
This dialogue between the doula and the caregivers is essential. A good doula knows where her role ends and respects the limits of her skills. She works as much as she can in collaboration with the perinatal network : midwives, pediatricians, osteopaths, psychologists or even lactation consultants.
Why choose to be accompanied by a doula?
Using a doula means choosing to be surrounded by a person trained in emotional support . It means benefiting from continuous support , often from the beginning of pregnancy until the first months of the baby's life.
It is also about finding power in your journey, because a doula always accompanies in a logic of empowerment : she guides without ever directing, supports without ever deciding for you.
A role for the whole family
The doula is not only there for the mother-to-be. She also supports partners , older brothers and sisters , and even relatives. Her goal is to foster an atmosphere of trust and serenity , so that each member of the family finds their place in this adventure that is parenthood.
The challenge of getting this profession recognized
Being a doula also means accepting to take on a profession that is still poorly understood, sometimes viewed with suspicion by certain health professionals. However, doulas only want one thing: to collaborate and enrich the perinatal network , to offer families comprehensive and human support.
As a profession of accompaniment and support, the role of the doula has its place in our society. It is not about replacing, but about complementing . To work hand in hand with midwives, doctors and other actors in the maternity journey, in the interest of women and families.
Conclusion: A Presence That Changes Everything
If you meet a doula, you will recognize her by her smile , by her ability to simply be there . Being a doula is not doing, it is being . It is an outstretched hand , an attentive ear , an open heart . And for many women, families, this presence changes everything .
