There are several types of doulas available in South Africa currently.
As a basic distinction there are:
- Prepartum doulas offering care before the baby arrives
- Birth doulas that assist in labour, birth and the immediate postpartum
- Postpartum doulas that provide care and assistance after the birth at home
Most doulas fulfill all of these roles into their services whilst others may only offer pre and post partum services.
Furthermore doulas can be distinguished as:
- Private doulas that are contracted directly to parents employing them. They provide care in the prepartum as well as after the birth.
- Hospital doulas are employed by the establishment that the parents desire to birth in and are available for any parents that may need assistance in labour. Their care is generally restricted to the time spent in the hospital or clinic. They are employed by the establishment and work in shifts.
- Midwife assisting doulas come with the midwife of choice and assist where needed. They are paid by the parents but may work exclusively or primarily with one caregiver.
- Lay doula which could be a friend, a mother or a sister. Some woman who is in this supportive role. Usually she has no official training but is supporting the labouring mother.
Currently there is no official training that distinguishes these types but all trained doulas are able to provided these services.
There is also a distinction as to qualified and training doulas.
Below is a guide to help you understand the various levels:
- Trainee doula (TD) is a doula who has completed a workshop and has yet to finish the requirements for qualification
- Qualified doula (QD) is a doula who has completed training and finished her requirements for qualification.
- Professional doula (PD) is a qualified doula with more than 50 births under her belt.
When interviewing a doula one should ask her for her level of qualification and experience.
Each doula brings with her a wealth of information and support as well as different skills and modalities.
Find the doula that suits your needs best so that you can have the best experience possible.
Remember your caregivers should fit in with your philosophy about birth and care. There is always the right caregiver for each parents and circumstances.