Reflections on doula care: 33 Years of Supporting Vancouver Families
We live in a time when more and more expectant families are without extended family living close by, who could help them once their bundle of joy arrives. And unlike the past or in other cultures, the majority of North American women lack the support of ‘wise women’ to be with them during birth. Today, some couples begin labour feeling unprepared or fearful. Statistics show only 30% of expectant parents attend childbirth preparation classes. With changing ‘modern’ times and our society’s love of technology we gain much, but also lose.
In Canada, we are more fortunate than mothers in the USA who receive only 6 weeks of paid maternity leave. Yet mothers here are often discharged from hospital after 24 hours. Some feel unprepared for life at home with their newborn. Community public health programs have suffered financial cut backs, yet work hard to assist parents with a new baby. For many families more help is needed.
The doula profession was born out of this need. It grew from women asking for a woman’s constant presence & support, whether during birth or once their baby arrived. Currently, doulas have an increasing active role in Western society, filling a gap, much like a community’s elder ‘wise woman’, an older sister, auntie or mother. Because really it does take a village to raise a child.
Caring for hundreds of diverse families over a 33 year span, I have grown into that ‘wise woman’. Attending educational courses and upgrading skills builds on knowledge. Accumulated lived experience cultivates wisdom. I am passionate about sharing it. How incredibly satisfying seeing a new parent soothing their wee one – the clear joy on their face as they realize they succeeded!
Crucial to my care is that information be evidence based, not opinion. Some claim to know what’s best for babies and mothers, yet their ‘expert’ advice conflicts with the truth of our biological norms, ie., a healthy pregnant woman’s instinctual need to labour undisturbed, an infant nursing for comfort or a newborn’s innate drive to be held in her parent’s arms.
My gentle approach combines wisdom gained from over 3 decades of doula experience, plus up to date research about pregnancy, birth, babies and parenting. It’s a solid foundation that’s rooted in biology, attachment and instincts, proven to truly support families.
Debra Woods
Debra Woods is a seasoned birth & postpartum doula who’s cared for more than 800 childbearing families. She has been practicing professionally for 33 years. She is also a certified childbirth educator, and breastfeeding and infant care educator. Mother to one son, who was born at home, she is passionate about educating expectant parents on evidence informed birth.
Her strongest aims are to provide families with education that supports women's birth rights, honors birth as a rite of passage, and advocates for informed consent, as well as ensuring families start out with realistic expectations for how to best care for their newborn.