What is a Doula?

    'Doula' means 'woman who serves' in ancient Greek. A doula offers constant physical and emotional support to women in labor. Doulas are trained professionals who provide informational support, as well as emotional and physical support to mothers during pregnancy, labor, birth, and after birth. A doula helps mothers understand what is happening in their bodies and gives them the encouragement and tools they need to engage with their labor and birth. A doula actively mothers the mother at a time when her need for this is great.
     A birth doula
    Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
    Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
    Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
    Stays with the woman throughout the labor
    Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping
    the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
    Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
    Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of her birth experience
    Allows the woman's partner to participate at their comfort level
                                                                 -Excerpt from DONA International pamphlet, What is a Doula?