Limits of Service

The doula has no clinical responsibility and hence does not undertake bio-medical observations even if she has been trained to do this in a different course. For example, this means that the doula:

 
DOES NOT listen to the foetal heart
DOES NOT take blood pressure measurements
DOES NOT take the client’s temperature
DOES NOT do vaginal examinations

 AS WELL AS THIS.......
The doula does not support any client until she is certain that this client understands that the doula has no clinical ability and no clinical responsibility.

The doula does not plan to support a home birth that is unattended by a clinical care provider.
The doula does not judge or make negative comments about any medical or midwifery intervention.
The doula does not give advice to the laboring woman.
The doula does not prescribes treatment.

IN THE CASE OF HOME BIRTH: 

The doula does not support a woman having a home birth unless the client has employed  a midwife or medical practitioner to provide for her clinical care and that person is either present with the laboring woman or has asked the woman to labor alone.

IN THE CASE OF HOSPITAL OR BIRTH CENTRE BIRTH:

The doula does not go to the client’s house to support her in early labor unless the client has employed a midwife or medical practitioner (hospital or birth centre) and the doula has suggested that the client inform her clinical care provider (or hospital or birth centre) that she is in labor. (This is because only the woman and her cliental care provider can decide on the safety of her staying at home in early labor.)