Birth Doulas as a Liminal Actor with/in Medical Law
The project aims to produce original knowledge on the nature and role of birth doulas and to understand their position in relation to existing medico-legal frameworks. The knowledge produced will expand academic and policy understandings of birth doulas, inter-professional dynamics, medico-legal concepts and regulation.
Context
There is increasing interest in birth doulas from pregnant women and birthing people in the UK. Doulas are not medically trained but are seen as a source of physical and emotional support for the birthing person. They are not formally regulated professionals, and the exact definition and boundaries of their role remains open to
interpretation. This project seeks to explore this nexus of doulas, medical law and regulation.
Birth Doulas and Regulation: A Socio-Legal Approach
One of the claims which is often made by those expressing their concerns about birth…
Introducing the Birth Doula Project
There is increasing interest in birth doulas from pregnant women and birthing people in the…