Medical Aid in Dying: August Newsletter

Are you needing extra income?

While corporate media talking heads debate the definition of “recession,” American family budgets across the political spectrum are taking a huge hit via inflation. The doula industry, however, has remained robust, with a high demand for doulas of all kinds. Perhaps now is the time for you to take the plunge and invest in professional doula training and/or doula business development resources as a way to augment/replace family income. Interest-free payment plans are available for all programs.

• Become a Birth Doula
• Become a Postpartum Doula
• Become an End-of-Life Doula
• Want to specialize in more than one area? See our Doula Business Builder Training Packages.

Doula business development resources include:

• The Doula Business Guide and The Doula Business Guide Workbook, by Patty Brennan
• The Doula Business Guide Online Training (self-paced study modules cover all the basics of setting up a doula business)
• Directory listings for doulas

Medical Aid in Dying and End-of-Life Doulas

What is a Death Doula and why is the assisted suicide lobby so interested? This article, published by the Euthansia Prevention Coalition, is problematic in linking end-of-life or “death” doulas with assisted suicide, and they are wrong in suggesting that doulas are “another class” of medical professionals. We are not medical care providers. Furthermore, direct facilitation of medical aid in dying is prohibited by the doula scope of practice. What we can do under the scope of practice is share information and resources, support informed decision-making, help folks advocate for their wishes, and provide emotional support.

The article also references a completely unrelated California lawsuit, Full Circle of Living & Dying v. Sanchez which has absolutely nothing to do with the medical aid in dying controversy and is clearly referenced to cast doubt on the EOL doula profession. (That said, it is a cautionary tale for doulas and worth the read.)

This linking of “death” doulas with assisted suicide is one of the reasons why Lifespan Doulas prefers the more encompassing label of “end-of-life” doulas. End-of-life doulas are encouraged to be aware of this misperception and, as always, to be crystal clear about our role. 

Can doulas work for system change? Perhaps you are an advocate for or against medical aid in dying? Political advocacy is not forbidden to doulas provided we understand which hat we are wearing at any given time. When we are working with a client, our focus is on meeting their needs in the moment, not advancing a political agenda or pushing a specific choice.

Looking for evidence-based birth resources?

Meet Dr. Sara Wickham, midwife, author, speaker, and researcher offering “information, inspiration, and illumination for midwives, birth folks, women, and families.” This is my new favorite go-to website for unbiased, evidence-based information related to pregnancy and birth. See articles on induction of labor, safety of homebirth, delayed cord clamping, safety of waterbirth, birth trauma research, and more.

Recruiting Participants for Research on End-of-Life Doulas 

Research aimed at understanding the experiences and role of end-of-life doulas, including how the pandemic impacted the doula’s work, is underway. To participate, complete the online survey (approximately 10-15 minutes). This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at the University of Minnesota and University of Wyoming.Participate now.

Continuing Education for Doulas

In order to be truly useful to the families we care for, staying up to date with our information and resources is essential for doulas. Our education will always be a work in progress. Lifespan Doulas offers bi-monthly, interactive webinars featuring guest speakers and experts, to our Members (Become a Member now). Many of these programs are also available free through our blog. Here’s a sampling of what’s available:

• Navigating the healthcare system: Coaching clients through the maze (end-of-life doulas)
• Pediatric palliative and death care
• SEO for doulas
• Holding space for pregnancy loss (with Amy Wright Glenn)
• Dementia at end of life
• More doula business-related topics
• And more!