Do you feel OB nurses should take doula training?

Tiffany · 11-12-2005, 08:49 PM

I thought this might be an interesting poll and discussion.

In my personal opinion, I think OB nurses should seek out a doula training and take it to help them become better nurses. I don't think it would be putting us out of jobs or anything, because they still have their clinical duties and paperwork. However, I think it would help them understand where WE are coming from, and WHY their patient may want to do certain things or may not agree to certain procedures.

If a nurse has been in OB for 5 years, she has only experienced what is in front of her for the last 5 years... what about newly developed birthing "tricks" or older "tricks" that are making their way back? She looks at them and us like we are nuts. In my most recent experience, I encountered a nurse who had been working L&D for 5 years and she had NEVER heard of "tug of war" pushing. WHAT?!

If she had taken a doula training, she would have been educated in alternative ways of birthing and perhaps be more accepting of those techniques or positions we (or mom) may suggest.

So, do you think OB nurses should take doula training? Please feel free to explain your opinion fully in a reply to this thread after submitting your vote!

fearlessbirth · 11-13-2005, 12:27 PM

I think they most certainly should be aware of any and all practices or techniques laboring moms and their partners may try. I know that they are (at least here in FL) required to make themselves familiar with all religious and cultural practices...so they can be respectful of the differences and the family's choices. Just my opinion...

1stimestar · 11-13-2005, 01:43 PM

While I think it is great when they do, I do not think it should be required. Should we be required to take theirs so that we understand everything they are doing? It is our job to educate while we are there so to speak lol. It doesn't matter if they have seen something before or not if you have parents that are able to advocate for themselves and do what they need to do while laboring at the hospital.

DL · 11-13-2005, 03:48 PM

All of your comments make great points, IMO! Yes, I'd like for them to take doula training; but NO, I do not think they should be required to do so. I voted "Yes, but optional". Georganne's post is pretty much what I think, so I don't feel the need to further elaborate.

Good topic, Tiffany!!!

1stimestar · 11-13-2005, 06:06 PM

Last year all the nurses at our local hospital (in L&D) had to go through breastfeeding education training. Did their breastfeeding rates go up? No, they are still terrible.

Need2read · 11-14-2005, 02:47 PM

As far as my opinion goes I think if you are going to be an OB nurse it is something that you should require yourself to do. I feel it should be a requirement for OB nurses because I think that if it were the overall hospital setting might change, or atleast the outlook on other doula's.

That is just my personal opinion though! =D

1stimestar · 11-15-2005, 03:10 AM

But nurses are required by the doctors, their BOSSES, to do what they do. They are also governed by hospital policy and procedures. Things will not change in hospitals until the consumer asks for changes to be made. Hospitals are business, with the goal to make money. If they think prospective customers will go to another hospital to get what they want, they will, in fact HAVE changed.

Tiffany · 11-15-2005, 09:17 AM

Just a reminder ladies -

We are sharing our OWN opinions here and no one should be trying to change anyone else's opinion. Not saying this is happening, but trying to prevent it from getting there.

MIA-D · 11-15-2005, 05:14 PM

even if they did have to take it, they still wouldn't be able to spend the time that we do with the laboring moms. The CEU training they take should keep them up to date on all the "current" things shouldn't it?

Tiffany · 11-30-2005, 10:38 AM

This topic hasn't gotten much attention lately, but I have to share something I found out last night! It is mandatory for OB nurses in Windsor, Ontario to attend doula training! I just thought that was neat to hear.

dynamicdoula · 12-18-2005, 02:07 AM

I definitely learned more about normal birth by attending births and talking to my peers than I did at doula training. I think I would rather that OB nurses spent a year doing an internship with a homebirth midwife. I think they'd learn a lot more in that environment than they'd learn at a doula training.

1stimestar · 12-18-2005, 04:57 AM

Wow Tiffany. Where did you hear about that? Who are the teachers?

raspberrymoondoula · 12-18-2005, 12:03 PM

i think they should do it, but through some kind of qualified course like dona, cappa or alace or something, NOT through a hospital doula training program, which often turns out to be "how to get your patients to get the epidural".

DL · 12-18-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raspberrymoondoula

i think they should do it, but through some kind of qualified course like dona, cappa or alace or something, NOT through a hospital doula training program, which often turns out to be "how to get your patients to get the epidural".

Good point, Lynne!!

Tiffany · 12-18-2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Wow Tiffany. Where did you hear about that? Who are the teachers?

My DONA doula trainer just held a training in Windsor, ON with another DONA trainer, who I believe has something to do with the nurses taking the DONA training. I can't remember exactly what she told me, but I know this woman was involved with the nurses (she is an R.N. but never worked as one.. she is more of a doula and trainer now, I think). Anyways, she was telling me they had a few nurses in their last training and I guess from there she found out it was mandatory for them.

It is something along those lines!