Doulas in Italy: The Emergence of a 'New' Care Profession (Social Science Perspectives on Childbirth and Reproduction)

This book documents the emergence of doulas as care professionals in Italy, considers their training, practices, and representation, and analyses their role in national and international context. Doulas offer emotional, informational and practical support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Pamela Pasian explores the development of this ‘new’ profession and how doulas are defining their space in the Italian maternity care system. Whilst doulas are gaining recognition they are also facing opposition. The book reflects on the conflicts and collaborations between doulas and midwives, as well as relations between different doula associations. Interweaving ethnography and autoethnography, it will be of interest to anthropologists, sociologists and those working in health and maternity care. This book documents the emergence of doulas as care professionals in Italy, considers their training, practices, and representation, and analyzes their role in national and international context. Doulas offer emotional, informational, and practical support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Pamela Pasian explores the development of this “new” profession and how doulas are defining their space in the Italian maternity care system. While doulas are gaining recognition, they are also facing opposition. The book reflects on the conflicts and collaborations between doulas and midwives, as well as relations between different doula associations. Interweaving ethnography and autoethnography, it will be of interest to anthropologists, sociologists, and those working in health and maternity care. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Information 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Figures 10 Foreword by Robbie Davis- Floyd 11 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction 16 What Are Doulas? 16 A Personal Note 17 A Methodological Note 18 The Structure of this Book 22 1 Doulas: From Their Origins to Their Present Status 24 The Origin of the Word “Doula” 24 The International Development of the Doula 26 The Development of Doulas in the U.S.A. 26 The Development of Doulas in Europe 28 Research On Doulas 29 Conclusion 31 2 The Emergence of Doulas in Italy 32 The Development of Doulas in Italy 32 Doula Origin Stories 40 Regulating Doulas 43 Midwives’ Opposition to Doulas 45 Giving Birth in Italy 47 Conclusion 49 3 Keys for Studying the Doula Profession 50 The Concept of a Profession in the Continental Europe and Anglo-American Traditions 50 Studying the Doula Profession 51 Doulas Are Care Professionals 55 Doulas and Medical Excess: Over-Intervention in Birth 58 Which Paradigm(s) Do Doulas Use to Support Mothers? 59 Conclusion 63 4 Doula Training 65 The Choice to Become a Doula 65 Training Paths 66 Practical Skills 69 Historical, Social, and Professional Doula Profile and Contexts 69 Physiological and Social Elements of the Perinatal Period 69 Techniques and Practices: the Birth Plan 71 Techniques and Practices: the Blessingway 72 Techniques and Practices: Relaxation and Tension Release 76 Techniques and Practices: Accompaniment, Support, and Art Counseling 76 Techniques and Practices: Placenta Rituals and Birthstory Narration 77 Techniques and Practices: Peer Groups, Mothers’ Circles, and the Red Tent 78 Communication Elements 79 The Social Context and Professional Networking: Mapping Facilities and Services 79 The Social Context and Professional Networking: Support for Returning to Work 80 Marketing and Client Relationship Management 80 Relational and Emotional Skills 81 Doulas’ Training Methodologies 85 Rituals and Relational Models 89 Conclusion 92 5 The Doula Profession 93 Doulas’ Work 93 Pregnancy 94 Labor and Birth 96 Postpartum 97 Types of Doulas 99 The Progressive Doula 100 The Philanthropic Doula 101 The Individualistic Doula 103 Intra-professional Relations 104 Conclusion 107 6 Doulas and Midwives 109 Italian Midwives in Context 110 Midwives’ Representations of Doulas 114 Doulas as Liars and Charlatans 114 Midwives as Important Supports for Mothers 118 Doulas’ Representations of Midwives 121 Inter-professional Relations 124 Conclusion 125 Conclusion 127 The Doula Profession in Italy: From Illusory Inconsistency to Patchwork Consistency 127 Patchwork Is Emblematic 128 Bibliography 131 Index 143 This book documents the emergence of doulas as care professionals in Italy, considers their training, practices, and representation, and analyzes their role in national and international context. Doulas offer emotional, informational, and practical support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Pamela Pasian explores the development of this â••newâ•• profession and how doulas are defining their space in the Italian maternity care system. While doulas are gaining recognition, they are also facing opposition. The book reflects on the conflicts and collaborations between doulas and midwives, as well as relations between different doula associations. Interweaving ethnography and autoethnography, it will be of interest to anthropologists, sociologists, and those working in health and maternity care. "This book documents the emergence of doulas as care professionals in Italy, considers their training, practices, and representation, and analyses their role in national and international context. Doulas offer emotional, informational and practical support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Pamela Pasian explores the development of this 'new' profession and how doulas are defining their space in the Italian maternity care system. Whilst doulas are gaining recognition they are also facing opposition. The book reflects on the conflicts and collaborations between doulas and midwives, as well as relations between different doula associations. Interweaving ethnography and autoethnography, it will be of interest to anthropologists, sociologists and those working in health and maternity care"-- Provided by publisher