ABSTRACT
A doula is often described as a nonmedical professional who offers practical, emotional, and informational support to the mother and family during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Yet doulas, especially in Italy, are much more than this. The introduction presents the multiple aspects of the doula profession in Italy and describes the birth of this word and the developmental process of this profession. Through a personal and methodological note, the author, Pamela Pasian, explores both the positive and the more problematic aspects of being part of the field of study, since she is herself a doula. A reflexive approach, and in particular the consideration of emotions as constitutive elements of the reflective/reflexive process, characterizes the entire book, as this Introduction describes. Also described in Introduction are the data on which the book is based, which include qualitative sociological research realized through literature review, interviews, and participant observation with doulas and midwives. Finally, Introduction outlines the structure of this book.
