I find it really funny (and I'm claiming it here, publicly) that I have two ways of thinking about birth workers. They're very oppositional too, which I haven't delved into but I'm sure it will come up over the next few years!
I am not certified as a doula and have no intention to do so. I don't like the idea of paying out money every year so someone else can tell me what to do. I really think the certification process for doulas is generally misleading to clients and not valuable for the doula herself. Why do we need to be certified to sit with a woman in birth and tell her she's strong and amazing?
Now, as a midwife, I fully intend to license. I honestly can not imagine going to medical school and then not making that last leap that allows me to practice as a physician. I do understand why midwives don't license (see my discussion above lol), but I just personally can't imagine not doing it.
Having plucked at this just a tiny bit, I think one point for me is that doulas aren't responsible in any way, shape or form for the health and welfare of a mother and baby. I think that's the huge difference for me.
So does this mean I'm 'pro-licensing'? NO! I'm not anti-licensing, either. Am I anti-certification? Hmm... yeah I guess I am, in a way, but only for myself. I'm pro-choice too, but pro-life when it comes to my own body.
I think we spend a lot of time in the birth community assessing what other professionals are doing and whether it's 'right or wrong' and less, FAR less time finding the table where we do agree. We do not give each other the grace and trust and support to find our own way to becoming the best we can be. I'm not even a midwife and I already feel defensive (because of conversations I've had) about how I will practice -- and *I* don't even know what that looks like yet!
If women and babies are getting safe, exemplary care, then what do the details matter? Women hire professionals that reflect for them the vision of the birth they want and the things they most value. If we all did things the same, there would be no options for women.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Doula Vs. Midwife (my hypocrisy)
Posted by RedSpiral at 9:30 AM
1 comments:
I completely agree w/ you about doula certification, it is simply silly.
"Having plucked at this just a tiny bit, I think one point for me is that doulas aren't responsible in any way, shape or form for the health and welfare of a mother and baby. I think that's the huge difference for me."
I'd like to think that the mother (and family) are responsible for the health and welfare of the mama and baby. That is why informed choice (and refusal) is so important. That is why a large part of midwifery is providing information, education and resources to mamas so that they can make decisions on a basis of full disclosure. We've moved way too far away from the vital concept of personal responsibility. For example: the midwife can provide all the nutritional counseling she can, but unless the mother chooses to apply what she learns, neither she nor the baby will benefit. So if the mama becomes anemic, is the midwife responsible? How about if the baby is born prematurely or is low birth-weight (both can result from malnutrition)?
"If women and babies are getting safe, exemplary care, then what do the details matter? Women hire professionals that reflect for them the vision of the birth they want and the things they most value. If we all did things the same, there would be no options for women."
The details matter because of the long term consequences for ourselves and future midwives. Sure- in the short term, licensing looks beneficial, but when some one starts dictating how a midwife has to practice, the worms start spilling out. First they decide breech babies can not be caught by midwives, then twins, then VBACs, then the "fat" mamas are risked out.... and on and on until Ilithyia herself could have a midwife attend her birth.
I hope that it doesn't happen, but have a sick pit in my belly that says, if things keep going the way they are... Licensed midwives will inadvertently be the second wave in the attempt to wipe out midwifery.
~
Jasmine Rae
Post a Comment