Doula methods can be controversial

PETALING JAYA: The actions of the “doula” who was linked to the death of a baby in Johor does not represent all the doulas in Malaysia.

A childbirth educator, who has been active in helping mothers, said the methods used by a doula, also known as a birth coach, can be controversial.

The American Pregnancy Organisation defines the Greek word “doula” as a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labour or has recently given birth.

The doula’s purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.

“She does not represent all the doulas in the country, and in this case her methods have been known to be controversial. A doula is not supposed to decide for the mother, a role of a doula is a support or a friend to the mother. She is supposed to discuss all the options available to the mother,” the certified childbirth educator who has been helping expectant mothers for about seven years told theSun.

She explained that a doula is more of a friend who is there to help mothers overcome their fears and to help them through a gentle birthing process.

“Gentle birth can be any birth, Caesarean or normal birth. As long as the mother knows the situation and is comfortable with it, it can be a gentle birth,” she said.

“Some mothers choose to have home births for many reasons, and because it is something they are most comfortable with. And I am not talking about mothers who are undecided or are simply following the trend. These are educated mothers who choose this for the birth of their child,” she added.

Following the death of the baby during a botched home birth in Johor, Federal Territories mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said assistance from a doula cannot be sought without the observation of a doctor or a trained midwife.

“The excuse of ‘aurat’ as a reason for not giving birth in hospitals is no longer an issue now with the modesty pants, which are widely available. It has to be understood that life is far more important than ‘aurat’ in this situation,” he said in a press statement yesterday.