During childbirth, there are "doula" to support the mother psychologically and physically, and to guide her to deal with the big event.
This is the well-known and famous "doula" mission;
Recently, however, another task for the "Doula" appeared during its dying age.
"Midwife" is a relatively new profession;
But it is growing at the level of countries around the world, as the dying person searches for peace and tranquility to leave in peace, and his relatives and relatives search for satisfaction and acceptance, which is what “states” offer death away from the dryness of doctors and the coldness of hospital walls, and also away from the “euthanasia” argument. Terminally ill or loved ones decide to end their lives to relieve their pain.
A non-medical profession
According to "Healthline", "states of death" is a non-medical profession, referring to a person trained to take care of the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of a person with a terminal illness during the death process, to provide all forms of assistance to him.
The "states of death" are called by several names, including "end-of-life coach", "soul midwife", "death midwife" or "transitional guide."
"Death states" are called by several names, including "end-of-life coach", "soul midwife" or "transitional mentor" (Pixabay).
How did the idea arise?
In this sense, "states of death" is a relatively recent profession;
But Susan B.
O'Brien, founder of Doula Givers and the international spokesperson for health care, found out early, perhaps by another name.
Suzanne has worked most of her career in nursing, caring for the elderly and people with tumors.
In 2008, Suzanne started offering community educational seminars and workshops for families to teach them how to care for their loved ones at the end of life, however the idea never really took off;
But in 2012, Susan went on a volunteer trip to Zimbabwe, in Africa.
That trip changed her life. According to Dola Givers, the people of Zimbabwe did not have a lot of material things or health care, so that the average age of a female there is 42 years.
During the trip, Susan saw people being trained to "sit" with the dying person and guide him through the end-of-life journey, without medication and medical equipment, and the experiment was very effective.
That work mentioned Susan with the concept of “birth countries.” When she returned to the United States of America, the idea of “Doula Givers End of Life” was born, to become a pioneer in that field and similar institutions spread around the world.
What do "death states" do?
At a time when there is no accurate count of the number of "countries of death" around the world, the "International Organization of Death Midwives" (INELDA) in New Jersey, a non-profit organization that oversees midwife training, indicates that this field has witnessed a significant increase in numbers over the past years.
The organization has been providing training certificates for "states of death" since 2016, it has 30 "countries" accredited, and has granted more than 700 training certificates, so that "states" play its role in supporting dying people during the end of life, as well as supporting their families and loved ones.
Where it can help in several aspects, including:
Helping create positive end-of-life plans.
Providing spiritual care and psychosocial support.
Suggest ideas for physical comfort.
Help with planning a funeral, burial, and funeral.
Helping to write the letters they leave for their relatives after death.
Reading stories to dying people or helping them create art projects such as paintings or "crochet" to leave to loved ones.
Provide comprehensive support to the family of the deceased before, during and after death.
Reducing anxiety and fear and giving him a sense of comfort and tranquility.
Death states reduce the anxiety of the elderly and give them a sense of comfort and tranquility (Pixabay)
Muslim countries
Although the profession of "states of death" has not yet spread in Arab and Islamic countries, a number of Muslims in Western countries resort to "states of death" at the end of their lives.
Maryam Ardati, a 30-year-old Muslim woman, lives in southwestern Sydney, and works as a "midwife" with members of the Muslim community in Australia.
Ardati defines the nature of its mission for Middle East Eye as focused on helping the dying person die with dignity and in a manner consistent with his values. Sometimes this means lighting candles, holding hands, breathing exercises or walking in nature, adding. Anything and everything gives them a spirit of reassurance. "
The turning point in the life of "Ardati" of Lebanese origin was when she was in a major car accident, and she got out completely safe.
But as she approached death at that moment, she began to wonder about the secret of her existence, and what happens to man after death, so she approached the dying, funerals and humanitarian work in general.
Ardati noticed that much of the anxiety that concerned the dying person was about the bureaucracy of death itself, such as determining where he wants to die, whether at home or in the hospital, funeral arrangements, writing a will, who will take care of children or pets, and how to deliver all This is to loved ones.
Ardati wanted to help in those particular cases, which prompted her to enroll in a training course for death midwives run by The Australian Doula College, in which she learned how to provide support to patients in dying.
Recent requests
"Ardati" has chosen to be a bridge between the dying and their families, and has chosen to offer that service specifically to the Muslim community;
Because in addition to providing care and support, cultural specificity must be taken into account.
Ardati explains that the difference lies in the small details, such as listening to the Qur’an, or helping with performing ablution.
Because the skin of some people may be sensitive to water at the end of life.
Ardati spends the time reassuring the dying person about the signs of natural death, helping him to accept the matter comfortably, calming the family and pushing them to accept the matter and calm down.
She also spends time fulfilling the desires of the dying person, noting that the most common request among the dying Muslims is to listen to a quiet recitation of the Holy Qur’an in the room, or for a person to sit next to the bed and recite whatever verses you can.
Other requests for Muslims include placing a bed or chair in the direction of Mecca, "the qiblah."
There are other personal requests that "Ardati" was subjected to while performing her mission. One of the dying loved to light scented candles and essential oils at sunset, and "Ardati" ensured that this habit would continue until the day of her death.
Another woman was unable to swallow food; But she liked to smell her favorite food, "grape leaves", and "Ardati" continued to cook it and the scent of spices emanated from it until the woman left, grateful for what the "midwife" had provided her at the end of her life.