How Doulas Help Prevent Obstetric Violence
Obstetric violence is an issue that, while often unspoken, affects many birthing individuals worldwide. Defined as any form of mistreatment, abuse, or coercion by healthcare providers during pregnancy, labour, and birth, obstetric violence can manifest in various ways. This can include medical interventions like administering Pitocin without consent, performing episiotomies without clear communication and informed consent, or coercing a birthing person into decisions that do not align with their wishes. It undermines the autonomy and dignity of the birthing person and can leave emotional and physical scars.
In the face of this injustice, doulas have emerged as powerful advocates for people giving birth, playing a vital role in preventing obstetric violence by providing support, education, and advocacy.
Informed Consent and Advocacy
One of the most effective ways doulas can prevent obstetric violence is through informed consent. Doulas help birthing individuals understand their rights and the medical procedures they may encounter during labor and birth. By explaining what interventions like Pitocin, episiotomies, or other procedures involve, doulas empower birthing people to make informed decisions.
Doulas are present to remind birthing individuals that they have the right to say "no" to any procedure that doesn’t feel right for them. This can prevent situations where healthcare providers might perform interventions without clear, explicit consent. By standing as an advocate, the doula ensures the birthing person’s voice is heard and respected throughout the process.
Providing Emotional and Physical Support
Labour and birth can be overwhelming experiences, especially when medical staff present options quickly, often during moments of intense pain or stress. This is where doulas shine. With their presence, birthing individuals have someone in their corner who is calm, knowledgeable, and focused entirely on their well-being. Doulas act as a buffer, helping families process information at their own pace, ensuring that no decisions are made in haste or under pressure.
By offering emotional support, doulas help reduce anxiety and fear, two emotions that can make birthing individuals more vulnerable to coercion or mistreatment. When a person feels safe, supported, and grounded, they are better equipped to make decisions that align with their birth plan, thereby preventing unnecessary interventions.
Encouraging Collaborative Birth Experiences
One of the key roles a doula plays is facilitating communication between the birthing individual and the medical team. Doulas encourage collaboration between healthcare providers and birthing families, fostering an environment of mutual respect. When a doula is involved, the focus shifts toward a team-centered approach, where everyone—including the birthing person, partner, and medical professionals—is on the same page.
This emphasis on collaboration makes it more difficult for healthcare providers to make unilateral decisions without consulting the family, thus reducing the likelihood of obstetric violence. Doulas help ensure that medical professionals respect the birthing person’s autonomy and work with them, rather than on them.
Guardians of the Birth Plan
A well-thought-out birth plan can be a powerful tool to prevent obstetric violence. Doulas help birthing individuals create comprehensive birth plans that outline their preferences, desires, and boundaries. This plan serves as a clear, written reminder to healthcare providers of what the birthing individual wants and doesn’t want during labor.
While birth plans don’t guarantee that things will go exactly as desired (birth is unpredictable, after all), they do set the stage for open communication and respect. When a doula is present, they help ensure that the birth plan is adhered to as much as possible, advocating for the birthing person if a situation arises where their preferences might be overlooked.
Educating Families About Their Rights
Many birthing individuals don’t fully understand their rights when entering a medical setting. Doulas are instrumental in educating families about their legal and human rights during childbirth. This includes the right to refuse any procedure, the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and the right to have their birth preferences honored as long as it’s safe to do so.
By arming families with knowledge, doulas help prevent situations where they may feel powerless in the face of medical authority. When birthing people know their rights, they are far more likely to stand firm in their decisions, reducing the potential for coercion or mistreatment.
A Doula’s Role as Witness
The presence of a doula also acts as a protective factor simply by being an observer. The dynamic changes when a third party, focused solely on the well-being of the birthing individual, is present in the room. Medical professionals are more likely to follow proper protocols and respect the birthing person’s autonomy when a doula is there, knowing that any mistreatment or coercion will not go unnoticed.
Empowerment Through Support
Doulas are more than just birth companions; they are advocates, educators, and protectors. Their presence during labor and birth helps ensure that the birthing person’s voice is heard and that their choices are respected. By fostering open communication, advocating for informed consent, and standing as witnesses to the birth process, doulas play a vital role in preventing obstetric violence and ensuring that birthing individuals have safe, respectful, and empowering birth experiences.
In a world where obstetric violence continues to be a reality for many, doulas offer a powerful counterbalance, providing the care, respect, and dignity every birthing person deserves.
Amy Silva - Doula & Founder of The Collaborative Doula Collective