A Doula who is a member of the SK Doula network:

· is accountable for her own practice in whatever environment she chooses to work. In all circumstances the safety and welfare of the mother and baby must be of primary importance

· offers counsel and support, but not advice, to the mother and/or parents, exploring with them their various options, enabling them to make their own decisions about the appropriate course of action, and then supporting them to act upon those decisions e.g. a birth doula supports the mother wherever and however she chooses to give birth – home/birth centre/hospital, with or without medical interventions, whilst a postnatal doula supports the mother whether breast or bottle feeding.

· works to maintain the highest level of care and support possible, all the time striving to be sensitive, nurturing, empathic, non-judgmental, knowledge-based, flexible, reliable, well-organized, practical and protective of the mother’s/family’s environment

· does not perform clinical or medical tasks, diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice, even if trained as a health professional prior to becoming/whilst practicing as a doula. Likewise if the doula is also qualified as a therapist in some other field and wishes to apply this skill in her practice, it must be made clear that they are two separate roles. The various “hats” should remain distinct at all times.

· will refer clients to other appropriate resources/professionals should the client have needs beyond the scope of their doula role

· will accurately represent their education and experience and will not mislead other doulas, clients or other birth professionals (i.e. websites, leaflets, emails, interviews, etc.) as to their level of doula education or experience

· will be honest and show integrity and respect at all times towards their clients, doula colleagues and the other professionals with whom they may be working alongside

· will not discuss personal and confidential information which has been disclosed to them by their clients in the course of their doula work with them, without the express permission of those clients, except in situations as outlined in Doula SK’s “Confidentiality” policy.

· is advised to keep records of their activities e.g. of births attended and/or postnatal support roles

· is advised to have a contract (preferably written) with their clients

· will strive to develop and maintain positive work relationships within the doula and birthing community

· will make it their own responsibility to maintain/enhance their skills and education by attending courses, workshops and lectures as they become available

· will strive to attend Doula SK Network meetings, participate in Doula SK workshops and Study Days and contribute whenever possible to the running of the network as schedules and other commitments allow

Doula SK’s Aims, Confidentiality Policy and Equal Opportunities Statement

AIMS

Our network sets standards and has a Code of Practice, which all members adhere to and we aim to:

enable all women to have access to the support of a doula when needed (hardship fund available to those who cannot afford our services)

improve communication between doulas and provide support for doulas by encouraging the growth of a supportive community of doulas in SK

promote the role of doulas to individuals, organizations and the media

establish and develop links with health care professionals

advance our knowledge and understanding of birth and the postnatal period

provide a free service for parents-to-be and parents to locate a doula of their choice

provide (or direct doulas to) training and opportunities for further learning and personal growth

CONFIDENTIALITY

We recognize that when parents employ a Doula they may discuss or disclose personal information and this information is to be kept confidential by the Doula employed. This means that any information provided by or about a person shall not be given directly or indirectly to anyone else without the express permission of that person, excepting situations where there is a legal obligation to do so.

General information may be shared with other doulas within the Doula SK Network but in an anonymous format for the sole purpose of support, supervision or training.

Any publicity or report on the work of Doula SK should not disclose information that might identify an individual client or doula without their express permission. Any confidential information should be stored and/or destroyed appropriately.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are proud that our membership represents a diversity of age, race, religion, culture, language, disability, marital status, education and outlook. Similarly, members of our network will not discriminate, but will offer to be a Doula to any woman who requests her services regardless of any of these types of differences.

As an organization we aim to treat our members and volunteers fairly and with respect at all times. Similarly members of our network show the same fairness and respect to their clients.

Doula SK Philosophy

Doula SK is a network of Doulas and we believe that all women should have the opportunity to be a doula, and should have access to the services of one. In the past it was more common for a sister, mother, grandmother, aunt to help a new mother on her journey. These women were not trained, but experienced in life and offered nurturing and support. In the same way, a doula’s support comes directly from the heart and wisdom of that individual.

Potentially every woman, whether trained or not, can support another woman antenatally, during labour, birth and in the postnatal period. How well she does this depends on her personal maturity, knowledge and her unique view of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. The main tool a doula has is herself! Before, during and after the birth it is first and foremost a doula’s presence that should make the labouring woman/new mother feel safe. Whilst we recognize that to be a doula, it may be easier for those who have the experience of giving birth, breastfeeding and rearing children, we also realize that there are some women who do not have this experience who can be wonderfully nurturing doulas. We believe that a pregnant woman/new mother should be able to choose the doula with whom she is most comfortable.

The doula role, we believe, is a way of "being" not "doing". A "training" implies completion and it is not useful to believe that a woman can attend a two or three day workshop or training course and believe that she is a doula. Doulas are learners, they are explorers, they are guides, friends, sharers, and it goes on and on. Without an open approach to self-development and human growth it is impossible to be available to enable others. Within a doula’s education there must be a deep concentration and focus on self awareness and any woman entering the profession is required to spend a lot of time reflecting.

Although comments such as ‘I couldn’t have done it without you’ may be flattering what we want women to be able to say is ‘you enabled me to do it myself’. We have to remember that we are there to safeguard the emotional memory of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. A doula is not a ‘coach’ who tells women what or what not to do either during the birth or postnatally as this is, in essence, disempowering. A doula’s practical tools have to be used wisely to help create an environment conducive to bringing forth a new life and to cherishing it.

The doula’s role has often been described as “mothering the mother”. The doula is employed primarily by the woman to listen, support and respond to her needs. The doula is not there to replace or exclude the father, partner or other family members or to intrude on these relationships. The doula’s actions are never driven by her ego but by sensitivity and unconditional love.

Doulas do not give any medical advice but they should have a good understanding of the physiology of birth and the postnatal period so can provide support to help the woman find solutions when she needs guidance. This distinction between advice and support is important.

The members of our network have come to be doulas through a variety of journeys. All are passionate about their work. We do not want doulas to add another layer of ‘professionalism’ to an already overloaded maternity system. There are as many different doulas as there are people; indeed, there is not a typical doula, but in every case we hope you will find a woman with her heart in the right place. For a doula it is a privilege to share the ‘everyday miracle’ of birth and the days surrounding that time.

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Doula SK Network