Are you planning on living in Colombia and having a family? Are you unsure about the type of support systems available for women and men throughout pregnancy? Then read on, this message is for you.
September will mark the first doula course ever to be held in Colombia. One course will be held in Bogota, and the other in Manizales.
Soon there will be doulas in Colombia to add to the list of countries that are already practicing this past time.
What is a Doula?
A doula is “a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.”
A Birth Doula (per DONA International)
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
- Allows the woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level
Why Use a Doula in Colombia?
In big cities, women in labor are assisted by technology and a team of health professionals. This biomedical tendency in modern obstetrics has meant the loss of the traditional companion, intimate and private, leading the laboring woman into a more passive role, almost of submission.
Doulas help to bring the birthing process back to a more natural approach, while still understanding the importance of using the latest scientific discoveries when needed.
While many clinics in Colombia do not yet support Doulas, or even know about them, the new and growing community of Doulas hopes to quickly spread the message about the importance of their work in order to provide women with a greater educational and emotional support system.
As Doulas become more well known and received, this post will be updated with information on how to contact a local doula in Colombia.
Hi Jessica,
interesting article. Do you have some more information about Doulas in Medellin. My girlfriend is pregnant and we are expecting the baby in december. Any info is appreciated…
Thanks,
Rindert