There is no shortage of representatives of this profession in Lithuania. However, many people who have not encountered them do not fully understand what doulas do and how their services differ, for example, from midwives who care for pregnant women, birthing mothers, and newborns.
We discussed this with 15min Milda Briskman, Chairwoman of the Doula Association.
– What is a doula? What kind of profession is it, who is it for, and how long have representatives of this profession been in Lithuania?
– A doula is a woman who provides non-medical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. In other words, a doula is a supportive team member who works together with the woman (or the whole family) and medical staff, providing emotional, physical, and informational support.
Usually, doulas are women who often have their own personal experience with motherhood and deepen their knowledge in areas related to motherhood and fatherhood experience.
Physical support includes body support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period:
- This can include help learning to use assistive devices (for example, how to put on a belt for pregnant women and similar);
- Exercises designed to ease the physical strain on the body during pregnancy;
- Massage or other alternative non-medication pain relief methods during childbirth and similar.
Emotional support is very individual, but the main mission of a doula is to respond to the emotional needs of the woman and support her decisions without personal opinion or judgment.
Informational support means providing the necessary information. When a woman is pregnant, she has many questions she had never thought about before, and there is a lot of information available, so it can be difficult to navigate this new stage.
Doulas who have experience and are interested in various motherhood-related topics can provide clarity on where and when to turn for different questions.
I would emphasize that a doula does not perform any medical interventions, does not monitor pregnancy like a midwife, and is not a midwife.
Since 2014, the Doula Association has been established in Lithuania. The organization arose from the desire to provide women and families, in a general sense, the opportunity to experience dignified and respectful parenthood. In addition, it was desired to give women seeking to obtain doula qualifications the opportunity to complete training in Lithuania, in a responsible organization.
Currently, the Doula Association has 43 members operating in various Lithuanian cities. Doulas belonging to the organization have obligations for annual qualification upgrades, maintaining professional hygiene, and adhering to the Doula activity standards while performing their duties. This organizational regulation is publicly posted on the dula.lt website, so anyone interested in this profession or looking for a companion during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period can familiarize themselves with the possibilities and limits of doula services.
The Doula Association also cooperates with other organizations and institutions and has been a member of the European Doula Network (EDN) since 2016.
It is important to mention that there are about 100 doulas in Lithuania, but as we see, not all are members of the Doula Association. As an organization, we constantly remind that we take responsibility only for the activities of doulas belonging to the organization.
– What services can doulas working in Lithuania provide? What services provided by doulas abroad are not available in Lithuania? Why?
– Most doulas belonging to the Doula Association provide childbirth preparation courses, support during childbirth, and assistance during the postpartum period.
Childbirth preparation training is usually individual, aimed at answering questions arising for the birthing woman and family. During the training, women’s needs are listened to, they are introduced to the possibilities of fulfilling these needs in Lithuania, and women can be taught different body positions for childbirth stages or various possible situations according to individual health and pregnancy conditions.
Support during childbirth means that the doula, by prior agreement with the family, arrives at the maternity hospital and stays with the birthing woman and other accompanying people.
At that time, the doula does what the birthing woman wishes, except for medical interventions, for example, trying different non-medication pain relief methods, changing body positions with the possibility to move or lie in bed, involving the partner in the childbirth process, maintaining breathing rhythm, and similar.
I cannot comment on international differences in activities – most services provided are very similar, but general differences are determined by regulatory laws, healthcare institution policies, and cultural nuances.
– What regulates doula activities in Lithuania?
– In global practice, it is established that the doula profession is usually defined by the doula organizations of those countries. Although anyone can call themselves or decide to be a doula, when choosing a companion for such a sensitive and change-bringing experience, it is important to know how to choose a reliable and qualified person.
As I mentioned, the Doula Association organizes training that lasts about 1 year. During this time, practice is performed. Training programs are constantly updated to ensure the highest quality of knowledge and practices, and the trainers are experienced medical professionals, psychologists, and other qualified specialists in their fields.
The training material is based on scientific research and evidence. Participants who complete our organization’s training receive certificates that attest to their qualifications and descriptions of the lectures attended. This practice is also found in organizations uniting doulas abroad. Families looking for a doula can inquire about such proof of qualification to better get to know the person who may accompany them on this journey.
– What is the most important thing people should know about doulas and their services?
– When choosing a doula, ask about her qualifications and experience: where, when, and what kind of doula qualification she obtained, and whether she has recommendations.
It is also important to understand that a doula does not provide medical services. The main goal of representatives of this profession is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
The Doula Association is currently the only expert organization uniting doulas in Lithuania. This organization is not responsible for the activities of doulas who do not belong to the organization.
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