How Professional Birth Doulas Benefit Doctors
One of the neglected areas of research on doulas is their impact on physicians. Studies have shown that physicians have mixed feelings about the presence of birth doulas with younger obstetricians of both gendershaving the least positive attitudes (1). Commenting on this study, Klein stated:
“Perhaps most concerning, the obstetricians in the younger group were less favorable to birth plans, less likely to acknowledge the importance of the woman’s role in her own birth experience, and more likely to view cesarean surgery as “just another way to have a baby”. (2)
Klein has also stated that there is diversity among the attitudes of both obstetricians and family physicians. At least 20% had attitudes similar to midwives and doulas regarding childbirth – especially experienced and older physicians. Even though our philosophies of birth may differ that does not mean that the presence of a doula is detrimental to physicians. In my estimation there are nine benefits that a professional doula can provide for physicians. In order of relevance, these include ensuring informed consent, observing detailed progression of labor; assisting the physician to know the patient; increasing patient satisfaction with the birth experience; fewer interventions; higher percentage of fees collected; informed refusal; early labor monitoring; and mitigating socially awkward situations.
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