DOULA
The word comes from Greek and can be translated into a servant. Doula is a non-medical person who supports a birth woman and her potential partner during childbirth, both emotionally and physically as needed, for example, by giving advice on positions, breathing and massage. The phenomenon has a long tradition but is still relatively unusual in Sweden.
20 percent of all first-time mothers feel fear of childbirth, and the figure is twice as high in foreign-born women, a study from last year shows.
In addition to the role of doula, a cultural interpreter can translate more subtle expressions that an ordinary interpreter might not have explained to the woman's mother tongue.
"Research shows that a woman who has continuous support from a person she feels safe with during childbirth gets a better experience. It can also have a positive effect on the medical outcome, ”says Anna Jensen, midwife and project manager for the initiative in Stockholm County.
The association Mira carries out an extensive recruitment process for those who seek the role of doula and cultural interpreter. Those who are employed then undergo a compulsory education for eight days in order to learn more about pregnancy and childbirth, the assignment of care and above all: ways and strategies to provide support.
Today, they have 30 active doulas who speak 20 languages. According to Anna Jensen, the project is a "win-win" situation because many of the women who work as a cultural interpreter do feel stronger by the role and read on to different care professions or interpreters.