There’s a growing trend across the USA: hospitals are drawing up “doula agreements” that doulas must sign before joining their clients. These agreements often conflict with the doula’s contract and reflect a poor understanding of the doula’s role as a patient advocate.

“That’s the thing about being an advocate. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to be someone who’s on their side.”

Birth workers, especially doulas, have a problem on their hands.
They are often the sole witnesses to obstetric violence, coercion, lack of informed consent, or medical negligence.