Midwives' and doulas' perspectives of the role of the doula in Australia: A qualitative study

被引:38
作者
Stevens, Jeni [1 ]
Dahlen, Hannah [2 ]
Peters, Kath [2 ]
Jackson, Debra [2 ]
机构
[1] Blacktown Hosp, Antenatal Clin, Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia
[2] Univ Western Sydney, Family & Community Hlth Res Grp, Penrith, NSW 1797, Australia
关键词
Doula; Midwife; Midwifery; Continuity of care; Normal birth; CONTINUOUS SUPPORT; BIRTH; LABOR; EXPERIENCES; CARE; POSTPARTUM; OUTCOMES; NURSES; VIEWS; WOMEN;
D O I
10.1016/j.midw.2010.04.002
中图分类号
R47 [护理学];
学科分类号
1011 ;
摘要
Objective: to explore midwives' and doulas' perspectives of the role of the doula in Australia. Background: doulas are relatively new in Australia; nevertheless, demand for them is increasing. Research has not previously explored the role of a doula in Australia. This research aimed to answer the question: What are midwives' and doulas' perspectives of the role of a doula in Australia? Design: qualitative study using focus groups that were digitally recorded, transcribed and the data analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: New South Wales, Australia. Participants: 11 midwives and six doulas. Findings: the key theme that emerged was that 'the broken maternity system' is failing women and midwives. The system is preventing midwives from providing woman- centred care. As a result, doulas are 'filling the gap' and midwives feel that doulas are 'taking our role'. Doulas fill the gap by providing continuity of care, advocating for women, protecting normal birth and by providing breast-feeding advice and emotional support in the community. Midwives are concerned that doulas are taking the caring part of their role from them and want the 'broken' maternity system fixed. Midwives described that doulas take their role from them by changing the relationship between themselves and labouring women, by reducing their role to obstetric nurses, by overstepping the doula role boundaries, and by holding the power at births. Implications for practice: despite the conflict reported between midwives and doulas, both groups identified that they see the potential for future collaboration. Taking into account the continued employment of doulas, it is important to improve collaboration between midwives and doulas for the sake of childbearing women. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:509 / 516
页数:8
相关论文
共 53 条
[1]  
[Anonymous], ETH ASP QUAL METH HL
[2]  
[Anonymous], POSITION PAPER DOULA
[3]  
[Anonymous], CARE NORMAL BIRTH PR
[4]  
[Anonymous], HLTH BIRTH PRACTICES
[5]  
[Anonymous], DEF MIDW
[6]  
[Anonymous], SOCIAL SCI MED
[7]  
[Anonymous], COCHRANE COLLABORATI
[8]  
[Anonymous], J DEV BEHAV PEDIAT
[9]  
[Anonymous], 6 CAR PRACT SUPP NOR
[10]  
[Anonymous], ASS WOMENS HLTH OBST