My midwives were threatened by doulas. They felt that the things doulas do are things midwives are for. It was this realisation which led XP and i to forego a doula and rely on our midwives and one friend for support. When we discussed having a doula with them we were immediately asked "What will she do that i can't?". One said "I see 4 births a week, they might only see 2 a year", very derogatory. They could see the point of a female friend who could support me but not another stranger who specialised in birth support.

We talked about it, XP and i, and decided we'd rather have midwives who felt we trusted them and "needed" them and accept the care they offered, than risk our midwife relationship by threatening them in their role. It's something that needs work. I think the problem is that a lot of midwives WANT to be able to do the job doulas do, but time constraints and hospital regulations prevent them being able to, and they feel (understandably i guess) that the presence of a doula indicates they're not "enough". In the event i do not regret not having a doula, and i did feel cared for and "loved" by my midwives, but i wonder how life would be if doulas did not have to defend women from midwives who did not have to defend women from Obs who did not try to defend women from nature....

Bec