Swedish women's experiences of doula support during childbirth

Abstract

Objective: to describe women's experiences of doula support during childbirth.

Design and setting: a qualitative study using a hermeneutic approach. Data were collected via tape-recorded interviews in the women's homes or at a place chosen by the women, one to eight months after the birth.

Participants: nine women, seven primiparous and two multiparous, aged between 15 and 40 years, who had received antenatal care at a special clinic for single mothers in Gothenburg, Sweden between 2006 and 2007.

Key findings: the role of the doula lies between natural care and professional care, veering towards professional care. Professional aspects include being a mediator to the unknown, and a human life line to help the woman to play her part in the birth. Furthermore, the doula is a coach who mediates a belief in the woman's capacity to give birth. The midwives' supporting role is not clear to the women, which can be the result of doulas having a more professional supporting role than giving natural care. Midwives are unable to offer continuity of care and constant support during the birth.

Implications for practice: the different supporting roles of doulas and midwives in maternity care should be addressed. Furthermore, maternity care should be organised in a way that gives the woman an opportunity to access continuity of care and constant support.