departmental bulletin paper

Departmental Bulletin Paper

Text

Osaka Human Sciences. 2018, 4, p. 49-59

The role of a doula during the process of perinatal loss in the U.S.

Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

English

Text

2018-03

Throughout the history, the approach to childbearing has been changing. It is also the same for miscarriage/stillbirth. In agricultural society, there were certain support systems for mothers who experienced miscarriage/stillbirth. However, in the current society mothers who lost baby over miscarriage/stillbirth tend to be out of support system. This can be a result of medicalization of pregnancy and value of individualism. The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of doula in the U.S.. Doula is a certified assistant for pregnant women, although doula is not considered as medical staffs such as physician, midwife, nor nurse. Doula provides emotional and physical support for women and their family members. Although the number of doula is still limited, their role is getting attention. In 2015, we interviewed two doula to understand their roles and functions in medicalized pregnancy in the U.S.. From the interview, we learned that there are 2 types of doula. One is the live birth doula, another one is the bereavement doula. In this report, we will talk about doula especially for perinatal loss. To be certified as a bereavement doula, they need to go through a multiple programs to fully understand medical, cultural, psychological aspects of pregnancy. Doula is usually appointed by pregnant woman who seeks emotional support in the process of pregnancy. Especially in the case of miscarriage/stillbirth, doula plays the important role to share the information with women on what they can do with their baby (e.g., taking pictures, creating cloth, writing a letter). Doula also assists women to communicate with medical staffs. By doing so, doula supports women to save from loneliness over the loss of their baby. Doula is not well-known in Japan. Traditionally women go back to their parents’ home for childbearing. Because female family members take a role of doula in Japan, the occupation of doula may not be necessary. However, the number of nuclear family is increasing and the life styles have been changing across different generation; the doula can play the important role to assist pregnant women and their family members in Japan.

10.18910/68279

68279

The role of a doula during the process of perinatal loss in the U.S.

Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

English

2018-03

Osaka Human Sciences

4

49

59

https://hdl.handle.net/11094/68279

10.18910/68279

https://doi.org/10.18910/68279