This project, funded by Wellcome Trust via a BA/Leverhulme Small Grant, seeks to better understand the nature and role of birth doulas and their position in relation to existing medico-legal frameworks.
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. As doulas are largely unregulated, there are concerns as to quality and consistency of care or service provision. There is also evidence that doulas can positively impact birth outcomes. The lack of clarity around their role leads to significant uncertainty for doulas, those who engage doulas, and for healthcare professionals. 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.
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. As doulas are largely unregulated, there are concerns as to quality and consistency of care or service provision. There is also evidence that doulas can positively impact birth outcomes. The lack of clarity around their role leads to significant uncertainty for doulas, those who engage doulas, and for healthcare professionals. 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.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims to address the current gap in understanding of the interaction of doulas and medical law and produce original knowledge on the nature and role of birth doulas.
- Map where and how doulas encounter and navigate law, by employing a mixed-methodology to capture
insights from key stakeholders - Generate new interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the role of birth doulas, underpinned by a critical understanding of law and regulation in their broader social and historical context.
- Develop connections and interdisciplinary contacts to support a project which expands on the results of this project at both domestic and international scales.