The Heart of the Doula Essentials for Practice and Life

The heart of doulaing is the relationship between the laboring person, their intimate family, and the doula who serves them. Through her clear use of language and vivid metaphors, Gilliland's writing lingers long after you've finished reading her words. She outlines the true power in being a doula – to serve clients in a way that they are encouraged to become more empowered and authentic versions of themselves. Culling wisdom from over sixty birth doulas in Dr. Gilliland's landmark research study, she promises to transform your relationship with clients and medical careproviders alike. Anyone wanting to understand the complexity of the modern maternity care system and how to navigate the power structure in hospitals more effectively will gain a great deal from reading this book. The Heart of the Doula delves into the nitty-gritty reality of birth doula work in North American hospitals and the personal price many doulas pay to fill this highly important and beneficial role in people's lives. A must for anyone doing empowerment work, especially with people frequently disempowered in our care system.

Amy L. Gilliland, Ph.D., BDT(DONA), AdvCD(DONA), CSE (AASECT) researches and teaches about doula labor support, women's sexual experiences, infant mental health, and the psychological needs of people during the birth experience. She is an AASECT certified sexuality educator, past adjunct psychology faculty at Madison College, and one of the first DONA International birth doula trainers. In her thirty plus year career, her work has spanned the perinatal spectrum. As a University of Wisconsin-Madison research fellow, her current projects include a critical analysis of the birth doula profession and completing her model of human childbirth as an attachment based neurological activity. Dr. Gilliland's previous research has been published in JOGNN, Midwifery, Journal of Perinatal Education, Sexuality and Culture, and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. She is considered to be a thought leader and visionary on birth doula issues through her influential blog, Doulaing The Doula, and her new book, The Heart of the Doula: Essentials for Practice and Life.