Doulaが流行っているみたいなんですねぇ

私が約１０年前に下の子を出産した時には、聞いたこともなかった言葉、Doula。

たまたま、博士論文アドバイザーの娘さんが、最近出産したということで、メールでDoulaの話題になる。娘さんはハーバード大学博士課程在学中のいわゆるエリート。彼女の周りの人たちは、みなDoulaがいいわよ、勧めてくるらしいが、費用は信じられないくらい高いらしい（大学院生だと保険の適応範囲も限られてくるからかな？）。

アドバイザーの説明によると、Doulaとは妊娠の当時から、いろいろ手取り足取り教えてくれる人だそうで、出産に立ち会うだけでなく、その後にもいろいろ面倒を見てくれる専門家らしい。

インターネットで調べてみると（google.com),　いろいろな定義づけが紹介されている。

おもしろそう・・・。もう少し若ければ、ぜひDoulaによる出産を体験してみたいんだけどな。

Definitions of Doula on the Web:

• A woman trained to help a couple through labor, delivery and the postpartum period. See What is a doula?www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/glossary.htm

• originally, a layperson who helps a new mother through pregnancy and early infant care, and now a being tested to use experienced volunteers to help persons facing serious illnesswww.mywhatever.com/cifwriter/library/66/4620.html

• is a woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family after childbirth.www.connectingwithhealers.com/glossary_terms.html

• A professional trained to help the mother during labor and childbirth.community.thenestbaby.com/cs/ks/blogs/nb_glossary/default.aspx

• Category: Labor and birth Professional labor assistant, usually a woman, who provides emotional, physical and sometimes spiritual support to the laboring mother. Find out more about Doula: Articles | Books/productspregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Pregnancy-terms-starting-with-D-2443.htm

• An experienced labor companion who provides continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth. ...www.birthingtouch.com/user/ICAN%202%20Birth%20Glossary.doc

• labor coach: an assistant (often the father of the soon-to-be-born child) who provides support for a woman in labor by encouraging her to use ...wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

• A doula is an experienced, non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional and informed choice support in prenatal care, during childbirth and during the postpartum period. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula

• A woman, with limited medical training, who provides assistance to a mother during and after childbirth en.wiktionary.org/wiki/doula

• A professional labor support person or postpartum helper.www.carolinashealthcare.org/services/womenchild/maternity/terms.cfm