End of pregnancy doula
Doulas trained to accompany people through a termination of pregnancy offer emotional, physical and informational support before, during and after the procedure. Their goal is not only to reassure and support those they accompany but also to discuss methods and procedures to make an informed choice.
Whether a pregnancy is terminated for personal or medical reasons, it can be a very difficult time. In Quebec, it is estimated that approximately 23,000 pregnancies are terminated each year 1. Even if abortion is very accessible, there is still a lot of educational work to be done in order to humanize care.
The role of an abortion doula is also to advocate for the rights of the person having an abortion while making it clear that they are not performing any medical procedures or making any decisions for the person being accompanied. They participate in the person’s decision-making process by listening and through dialogue and critical thinking, while remaining non-judgmental and respectful of the person’s choices. They may also participate in the creation of a termination of pregnancy plan, be present during the procedure, either by phone or in person, and ensure that the plan is followed.
1 Marie-Ève Blanchard «Les acompagnantes à l’interruption de grossesse ou à l’avortement» Reference