Did a baby die prematurely and was the death due to home-birth with the help of a doula in the absence of a medical professional?
Amid these questions being asked, a Malaysian newspaper said a female doula – a professional trained in childbirth or a birth coach – is under fire after the death of a baby in Johor Bahru recently.
The use of a private birth coach in modern Malaysia is said to be catching up among professional mothers who claim they do not want their ‘aurat’ – or forbidden parts of their body – to be seen by men in particular.
While the Johor police have opened an investigation into the circumstances that lead to the death of the baby, other ‘doulas’ in Malaysia have distanced themselves from the accused.
A childbirth educator who has been active in helping mothers said the methods used by the doula can be said to be controversial, reported The Sun newspaper.
The doulas are saying the actions of the “doula” does not represent all the doulas in Malaysia.
The doula’s purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.