Abstract:
Starting from interviews with doulas from different regions of Brazil and from a constructivist stand as epistemological and methodological support, this paper seeks to understand the meanings attributed by the doulas interviewed to their experiences both in general life and in their specific activity as well as to their own relational contexts. The paper points out some of the situations of violence with which they are faced in their everyday activity and the importance of the bond between the women for the strengthening of their autonomy and empowerment and overcoming of vulnerabilities. As a result, this paper shows that acting as a doula brings the possibility of empowerment not only for the pregnant, through the information and the support brought by the presence of the doula, but also for the doula her, by means of connecting herself with other women in order to cope with the iniquities they face.
Keywords:
Doula; Empowerment; Obstetric Violence