Danish midwives warn against unproven birth advice from doulas

Senior midwives and an obstetrician have condemned advice given by uncertified birth workers—known as doulas—in a private Facebook group, calling it misleading, oversimplified, and potentially dangerous.

A woman seeking advice on home birth despite a history of severe postpartum hemorrhage was told in the group Fødsler på trods af generelle anbefalinger (Births Against General Recommendations) that “a piece of placenta in the cheek can stop bleeding in seconds,” according to a report by Danish broadcaster DR. The claim, made by a doula, has no scientific basis, experts say.

Mette Hvilshøj Fabricius, head physician of the maternity ward at Zealand University Hospital and former chair of the Danish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, warned that such advice could create a false sense of security. “This is a persuasive way to reassure a woman seeking real knowledge about home birth,” she said. “It borders on deception.”

Postpartum hemorrhage can be fatal within minutes without proper medical intervention, Fabricius stressed. Trine Lind, chief midwife at Rigshospitalet, echoed the concern: “This could mean the difference between life and death.”

The Facebook group, with 3,600 members, features uncertified birth workers offering guidance on what is safe during childbirth. While some doulas provide harmless support—such as birth preparation or breastfeeding advice—others promote practices that conflict with medical recommendations, DR’s investigation found.

Ann-Emilie Augustinus, a doula and administrator of the group, defended the placenta advice, acknowledging there are no controlled studies to support it but claiming she has “seen it work.” A former midwife who relinquished her license, Augustinus insisted parents bear full responsibility for their choices. “It’s not naive, blind, or stupid women seeking this advice,” she said. “They’re well-educated women exploring all options to make the right decision for themselves.”

Under Danish law, only licensed midwives are permitted to perform clinical obstetric tasks, including labor and delivery care. Doulas, who require no formal training or certification, are prohibited from practicing midwifery.