Doulas in Italy: The Emergence of a 'New' Care Profession

Description

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. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Figures Foreword by Robbie Davis- Floyd Acknowledgments Introduction What Are Doulas? A Personal Note A Methodological Note The Structure of this Book 1 Doulas: From Their Origins to Their Present Status The Origin of the Word “Doula” The International Development of the Doula The Development of Doulas in the U.S.A. The Development of Doulas in Europe Research On Doulas Conclusion 2 The Emergence of Doulas in Italy The Development of Doulas in Italy Doula Origin Stories Regulating Doulas Midwives’ Opposition to Doulas Giving Birth in Italy Conclusion 3 Keys for Studying the Doula Profession The Concept of a Profession in the Continental Europe and Anglo-American Traditions Studying the Doula Profession Doulas Are Care Professionals Doulas and Medical Excess: Over-Intervention in Birth Which Paradigm(s) Do Doulas Use to Support Mothers? Conclusion 4 Doula Training The Choice to Become a Doula Training Paths Practical Skills Historical, Social, and Professional Doula Profile and Contexts Physiological and Social Elements of the Perinatal Period Techniques and Practices: the Birth Plan Techniques and Practices: the Blessingway Techniques and Practices: Relaxation and Tension Release Techniques and Practices: Accompaniment, Support, and Art Counseling Techniques and Practices: Placenta Rituals and Birthstory Narration Techniques and Practices: Peer Groups, Mothers’ Circles, and the Red Tent Communication Elements The Social Context and Professional Networking: Mapping Facilities and Services The Social Context and Professional Networking: Support for Returning to Work Marketing and Client Relationship Management Relational and Emotional Skills Doulas’ Training Methodologies Rituals and Relational Models Conclusion 5 The Doula Profession Doulas’ Work Pregnancy Labor and Birth Postpartum Types of Doulas The Progressive Doula The Philanthropic Doula The Individualistic Doula Intra-professional Relations Conclusion 6 Doulas and Midwives Italian Midwives in Context Midwives’ Representations of Doulas Doulas as Liars and Charlatans Midwives as Important Supports for Mothers Doulas’ Representations of Midwives Inter-professional Relations Conclusion Conclusion The Doula Profession in Italy: From Illusory Inconsistency to Patchwork Consistency Patchwork Is Emblematic Bibliography Index