Doulas for Women Prisoners

A doula is a Greek word for a woman who helps another in childbirth. Sheila became aware of the needs of women prisoners who were having babies and took action with others to end the use of handcuffs in childbirth. The plight of prisoners giving birth without any support from friends and family also became clear. Sheila s article in the National Childbirth Trust Teachers’ mailing inspired a voluntary group of London based antenatal teachers to set up the “Holloway Doula Group”. Holloway is the largest women’s prison in Europe. The Holloway Doulas have now become the Birth Companions. A prisoner's mother says: “When I arrived at the hospital I was surprised to see a woman comforting and cherishing my daughter. She not only stayed for the birth but she and another “birth sister” helped with the care of mother and baby throughout their time in hospital. They are the most selfless people I have ever met”.

We offer support to women from Holloway Prison. Prisoners are allowed to have a companion of their choice. For many, a friend or family member can be there. However, sometimes, and particularly for foreign nationals, there is no-one who can be with them. There can be nothing more terrifying than going through labour on your own with no-one to turn to for support and reassurance. As a group of ten antenatal teachers, student teachers and student midwives, we are well placed to offer doula support. We are non-judgmental and provide a sensitive service, based on informed and individual care for each woman who requests our help, helping communication between them and their health professionals and serving as advocates. We are also particularly well-placed to monitor the level of care that each woman receives from the hospital and the prison authorities.

Women are made aware of us through antenatal classes, literature distributed and displayed in the prison and other involved groups. Any woman who requests our support is sent our guidelines and is visited by a member of the Birth Companions who gets to know her and discusses with her a birth plan. When she goes into labour, she contacts us. One of us meets her at the hospital and stays with her continuously through labour. If necessary, other members of the group also support her during the birth and in the days she spends in hospital. We aim to do this for every woman from Holloway prison who requests our services. A prisoner writes: “I was made to feel at ease and even though in a lot of pain I was conscious of her always being there. I had more faith and trust in my birthing partner than anyone else.... You guys have rebuilt my trust and faith in human nature”.

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Дата добавления: 2015-11-14