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?
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?