I like it that The Greek word Doula is used now to describe and emulate the emotional part of being a midwife. I am glad this is happening. Our youth need to come into the world like this. Children should be rare and precious
Women make too much out this whole childbirth thing. Have the baby in the hospital and bring it home. No one cares about what "place" you're in. Husband's belong in the bar waiting for the call that the kid was born so he can pass out cigars. The husband doesn't want to see the mother until the hairdresser is through. That brow beaten eunuch father at the beginning seems to have drunk the kool-aide.
yes, in greece the term carries negative connotations, although the etymology of the word is unclear. It is debated whether the word originally meant 'woman slave' or 'woman of service', but the term has evolved outside of the greek world, and has in a sense been reappropriated. of course it still is somewhat problematic on an international level, but this goes for many words that have been adopted cross-culturally. some doulas prefer to be called birth companions, or labour companions.
Doula? Hell, they used to be called a grandmother or other loving family member. Now that everyone is mentally ill and has postpartum depression, they have to hire someone mentally stable. Sad really. Since everyone seems to just get "knocked up" there are no family members to support each other with a family legacy of proper childcare. Is there anyone out there who has a family that can support thier daughters? So Sad. I guess a Doula is a renta grandmother.
The doula practice is actually an ancient one, so your view that doulas are some how a modern convenience that replaces family members is extremely inaccurate. In fact, the doula is trained and experienced in areas where most family members aren't - a grandmother, mother, sister, husband, etc. may care deeply and be there for the woman emotionally, but they also may be intimidated, and not be confident in how they might be effective in helping their friend/family member.
the doula is qualified in areas that the layperson is not qualified in. She (or sometimes he) has a wealth of knowledge about childbirth and its emotional, physical and psychological impacts. The doula practice hearkens back to a fundamental view of childbirth as a natural and beautiful process. The suggestion that a woman need be mentally ill to benefit from having a doula is offensive and ignorant. And post-partum depression is very real, the fact that it is belittled is also offensive.
You misunderstand. My reference to post partum depression was not meant to belittle it. How did women deal with "Post-partum" depression before hired help? My sister had my mother. She held her hand, taught her how to nurse (as if that was necessary), helped her recognize the health needs of her child as an infant and also had experience in helping her stay balanced in her relationship with her other children and family. Many have no-one and the Doula serves a need. That NEED is sad.
Women who experienced post-partum depression in the past often suffered in silence. And that is tragic and unnecessary, as it is very common. Your right, it is sad that often people have no one by their side, but even if they do, a doula can still be a very solidfying presence. Your sister was lucky to have your mom, but even with the most caring, attentive mother the doula is still very useful, as the statistics prove, shorter labour, less epidurals...they save the government money.
And on the contrary, many women become extremely frustrated breastfeeding because they are afraid they are not doing it 'properly'. help with breastfeeding is incredibly important, as it is fundamental for the baby's health. yes, sometimes it happens seamlessly and naturally, but often there are bumps in the road. it is fantastic if your sister had no struggles (which you cannot say yourself, as you did not experience the child birth), but this is an isolated incident. It is not the norm.
The incidence of Post partum depression in the U.S. is actually quite low. It is those predisposed who seem to suffer. It is a physical/hormonal problem more often than not. Nope, haven't had any babies, you're right. That doesn't mean I'm ignorant of how things go. How many women all over the planet do just fine without hired help with their pregnancies? Hmmm, again, it's family. Spend the money to support families and educate them and proxy family won't be necessary as often.
it's about 10% reported cases in the states. but considering the stigma attached, many go unreported. i can appreciate your point of view, but it's really something that the woman and her family have to decide on their own, and it's a good option. women rarely give birth without 'hired help'. doctors, nurses, midwives all fall under that umbrella. a doula fits into this network of caregivers. i think if you do more research on doulas you'll understand it's in no way a replacement family.
Thank you for a respectful exchange. My great grand mother was a midwife. She attended the birth of her own first cousin in 1903. When the doctor dropped the non-breathing infant on the bed and proclaimed "this baby is dead", my great grandmother picked her up, massaged her and breathed into her mouth. That baby came to and proceeded to live until she was 102 year old! I just was creeped out by the expressions of the couples in the video. They seemed to attribute to the Doula the place of family
We all need support. Some people choose family, and some people choose the support of someone who does this as a profession. We all need to feel safe to birth safely.
I don't think of myself as a rent-a-grandmother. I am a young hip doula. I like to think I am a close friend who understands birth deeply and has experience in supporting families.
Birth politics and locations have changed. That family one-on-one doesn't always work so simply anymore. Support is vital, no matter from whom.
I like it that The Greek word Doula is used now to describe and emulate the emotional part of being a midwife. I am glad this is happening. Our youth need to come into the world like this. Children should be rare and precious
akmediascope 2 years ago
Very informative. Nice work
ZacharyReichenbach 2 years ago
Thank you for this video.
-A Vancouver birth doula!
36hesperia36 2 years ago
I had no idea what doulas were until seeing this. Great video, very interesting.
BruceMcManly 2 years ago
music: johanna newsome
Go Johanna!
lordkelvin1 2 years ago
Women make too much out this whole childbirth thing. Have the baby in the hospital and bring it home. No one cares about what "place" you're in. Husband's belong in the bar waiting for the call that the kid was born so he can pass out cigars. The husband doesn't want to see the mother until the hairdresser is through. That brow beaten eunuch father at the beginning seems to have drunk the kool-aide.
RDJim 2 years ago
this realy scares me :/
SelonEntertainment 2 years ago
how? why?
jarikcbol 2 years ago
this video
really not your best
it seems like product placment
and some (and i mean some) of the photos are really unflattering
dont get me wrong, some are really beautiful too...
not your best work VFS
GoerzIndustries 2 years ago
this is a comment
norwaysdon 2 years ago
when you say doula in greek do you mean δουλα?
I am confused!!!because if so, doula in greek is a woman slave!
polgoddess 2 years ago
yes, in greece the term carries negative connotations, although the etymology of the word is unclear. It is debated whether the word originally meant 'woman slave' or 'woman of service', but the term has evolved outside of the greek world, and has in a sense been reappropriated. of course it still is somewhat problematic on an international level, but this goes for many words that have been adopted cross-culturally. some doulas prefer to be called birth companions, or labour companions.
boshemie 2 years ago
You are right!
36hesperia36 2 years ago
lol
gapmunky 2 years ago
Doula? Hell, they used to be called a grandmother or other loving family member. Now that everyone is mentally ill and has postpartum depression, they have to hire someone mentally stable. Sad really. Since everyone seems to just get "knocked up" there are no family members to support each other with a family legacy of proper childcare. Is there anyone out there who has a family that can support thier daughters? So Sad. I guess a Doula is a renta grandmother.
Philinspaces 2 years ago
I feel I agree with you...It's so sad...
polgoddess 2 years ago
i too agree :(
mita14 2 years ago
Forsooth
jarikcbol 2 years ago
The doula practice is actually an ancient one, so your view that doulas are some how a modern convenience that replaces family members is extremely inaccurate. In fact, the doula is trained and experienced in areas where most family members aren't - a grandmother, mother, sister, husband, etc. may care deeply and be there for the woman emotionally, but they also may be intimidated, and not be confident in how they might be effective in helping their friend/family member.
boshemie 2 years ago
the doula is qualified in areas that the layperson is not qualified in. She (or sometimes he) has a wealth of knowledge about childbirth and its emotional, physical and psychological impacts. The doula practice hearkens back to a fundamental view of childbirth as a natural and beautiful process. The suggestion that a woman need be mentally ill to benefit from having a doula is offensive and ignorant. And post-partum depression is very real, the fact that it is belittled is also offensive.
boshemie 2 years ago
You misunderstand. My reference to post partum depression was not meant to belittle it. How did women deal with "Post-partum" depression before hired help? My sister had my mother. She held her hand, taught her how to nurse (as if that was necessary), helped her recognize the health needs of her child as an infant and also had experience in helping her stay balanced in her relationship with her other children and family. Many have no-one and the Doula serves a need. That NEED is sad.
Philinspaces 2 years ago
Women who experienced post-partum depression in the past often suffered in silence. And that is tragic and unnecessary, as it is very common. Your right, it is sad that often people have no one by their side, but even if they do, a doula can still be a very solidfying presence. Your sister was lucky to have your mom, but even with the most caring, attentive mother the doula is still very useful, as the statistics prove, shorter labour, less epidurals...they save the government money.
boshemie 2 years ago
And on the contrary, many women become extremely frustrated breastfeeding because they are afraid they are not doing it 'properly'. help with breastfeeding is incredibly important, as it is fundamental for the baby's health. yes, sometimes it happens seamlessly and naturally, but often there are bumps in the road. it is fantastic if your sister had no struggles (which you cannot say yourself, as you did not experience the child birth), but this is an isolated incident. It is not the norm.
boshemie 2 years ago
The incidence of Post partum depression in the U.S. is actually quite low. It is those predisposed who seem to suffer. It is a physical/hormonal problem more often than not. Nope, haven't had any babies, you're right. That doesn't mean I'm ignorant of how things go. How many women all over the planet do just fine without hired help with their pregnancies? Hmmm, again, it's family. Spend the money to support families and educate them and proxy family won't be necessary as often.
Philinspaces 2 years ago
it's about 10% reported cases in the states. but considering the stigma attached, many go unreported. i can appreciate your point of view, but it's really something that the woman and her family have to decide on their own, and it's a good option. women rarely give birth without 'hired help'. doctors, nurses, midwives all fall under that umbrella. a doula fits into this network of caregivers. i think if you do more research on doulas you'll understand it's in no way a replacement family.
boshemie 2 years ago
Thank you for a respectful exchange. My great grand mother was a midwife. She attended the birth of her own first cousin in 1903. When the doctor dropped the non-breathing infant on the bed and proclaimed "this baby is dead", my great grandmother picked her up, massaged her and breathed into her mouth. That baby came to and proceeded to live until she was 102 year old! I just was creeped out by the expressions of the couples in the video. They seemed to attribute to the Doula the place of family
Philinspaces 2 years ago
We all need support. Some people choose family, and some people choose the support of someone who does this as a profession. We all need to feel safe to birth safely.
I don't think of myself as a rent-a-grandmother. I am a young hip doula. I like to think I am a close friend who understands birth deeply and has experience in supporting families.
Birth politics and locations have changed. That family one-on-one doesn't always work so simply anymore. Support is vital, no matter from whom.
36hesperia36 2 years ago
Comment removed
Philinspaces 2 years ago
@36hesperia36
Just for clarification I'm a doula in Vancouver, where this video is from.
Birth Routes
36hesperia36 2 years ago