Use of doula may indicate midwife failings

The use of doulas during labour could indicate failings in patient care.

The warning comes from a doctor on the BMJ website who is concerned that any real or perceived need for doulas means that pregnant women are not getting the support they need.

A doula is a paid birth assistant whose role is to mother the mother during labour.

There are around 1000 doulas working in the UK. They offer services such as antenatal visits, support during labour and charge between £400 and £900.

But Dr Dr Abhijoy Chakladar believes use of doulas could mean that the midwifery services and family support is failing women during pregnancy.

He said: “I found myself disconcerted by the doula’s presence as I was unfamiliar with her role,” he says. “In retrospect, I should have confirmed everyone’s roles and established ground rules acceptable to all involved on entering the situation.”

There is no regulating service for hired birthing partners and a doula may work without training.

As the numbers of doulas increase, Dr Chakladar is concerned whether the doula business is actually necessary or exploits mothers-to-be’s fears as part of the birth-related products and services market.