Brasília, May 7, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - One of the greatest fears of women on the verge of giving birth, the fear of pain, can be assuaged by the labor of "doulas," also known as birthing companions. The term "doula" comes from the Greek and means "servant, woman's helper." Doulas give massages, teach relaxation exercises, and provide emotional support at the moment of childbirth.
"What I felt is that the work of a doula creates a calm atmosphere for the expectant mother. The doula works on the physical and mental aspect, with relaxation techniques and exercises for the baby to get into position. This helps the delivery go well, without pain." This testimony comes from Almir Silva, a 33-year old public servant who followed the work of a doula a month ago, when his third child was born.
"To be a doula, all that is needed are two hands and a heart," explains the educator Renata Beltrão, who is also a doula. Together with the psychologist Marisa Rocha, she founded the Gen Space, a center in Brasília that offers courses in childbirth preparation and doula training.
The discoverers of the function of doulas, Rocha recalls, were two American physicians who studied mothers' bonds with their newborns at the moment of childbirth. When they analyzed the childbirths, they discovered that the easiest ones and the ones with the best results had in common the presence of an observer, a girl named Wendy, who also gave caresses, held the hands of the expectant mothers, and conversed with them.
Ana Cristina Silva, a civil servant, gave birth to her third child last month. The delivery was humane, in a squatting position and with the help of a doula. "The doula was my tranquilizer. She taught me the exercises that helped get the baby into position," she affirms. In her view, the presence of the doula enhances a woman's self-esteem at the moment of giving birth.
"Humanized childbirth restored the empowerment of women, the feeling that a woman is capable of having her baby naturally," affirms the doula Renata Mourão. Ana Cristina's husband, Almir, agrees. "The human machine is something perfect; it's the human being that is always trying to undermine this logic. In humanized childbirth, the woman assumes the leading role," he concludes.
The doulas Renata and Marisa are in favor of natural childbirth, and they alert to the risk that, in the name of convenience, this type of delivery will be marginalized. "One must look for a good doctor, who will only perform a cesarean as a last recourse," they affirm.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, there are over 60 thousand midwives and around 18 thousand obstetricians in Brazil. For Renata and Marisa, this may be a sign that the work of midwives needs to be recognized and natural childbirth, stimulated.
Translator: David Silberstein
