WOMBS

At present there is not an officially recognised form of certification in South Africa for women working as Doulas. WOMBS is working closely with a number of government bodies in order have the job of a Childbirth Companion, or Birth Doula, officially recognised and respected by other professions within the medical community.

There are a wide variety of Doula Training Courses available within South Africa, and all have different requirements for “passing” the course. This means that when someone is hiring a doula, or other medical professionals involved in childbirth come into contact with a Doula, they can’t know for certain what to expect. Depending on the training the person has undergone, they may view their role differently to someone with a completely different training background.

WOMBS Doula Training therefore involves time dedicated to understanding the role of a doula, both in home births, birth centres and even the hospital environment. A WOMBS doula will never speak to your care provider on your behalf or make decisions for you – instead she provides someone who you can get information and advice from, and who will help facilitate discussion with your care providers when interventions are need (especially when they diverge from your birth plan).

When finding a doula it’s important to find out where she received her training and what she considers to be her role during the process of childbirth. Have a look at the WOMBS Doula Scope of Practice to see what we have clearly defined the role as in terms of what a doula may and may not do.