Philosophy

BirthWays takes a women-couple centered approach to pregnancy and birth. We believe that parents have the right to choose how, where and with whom they wish to give birth. While we are not obedient to medical staff, we do realize the importance of being a team player with all the members participating in any given birth. But we do take a different approach to training our doulas than some of the other major doula certification programs, in that we feel, as doulas, we work for the couple first and foremost. The wishes of our clients supersede the wishes of all others. Although we do make certain to let our clients know that we are not medically trained, we do not see implementing most normal comfort measures as practicing medicine. Providing comfort measures, such as perineal massage doesn't take a high level of skill to learn. And if a grocery store machine can take blood pressure reasonably well, so can a doula learn to provide her clients with the same caliber of information.

BirthWays also believes that the best birth outcomes are made possible when a woman receives the fewest interventions in labor. While interventions are not inherently bad, the routine use of them can lead to unnecessary cesarean sections, a dangerous medical procedure with a lifetime of side effects. As a certified BirthWays doula, you will gain an understanding of the most prevalent interventions regarding labor and birth and will know how to tell if an intervention offered is routine or truly necessary. Although you are not there to uphold your own birthing values, your understanding of hospital interventions can assist your couples in making informed decisions regarding the birth of their baby.