What is a Doula?

What does "Doula" mean?

"Doula" is a Greek word which has come to refer to an experienced woman who offers continuous emotional, physical and informational support to a family before, during and immediately following childbirth.

WHAT IS A DOULA?A doula is an experienced and trained birth companion who stays with a laboring woman throughout her entire labor and birth experience, providing emotional, physical, and informational support. Your birth experience will be a lifelong memory, and using a doula can help ensure that the birth of your child will be a memory filled with satisfaction. A doula recognizes birth as a key life experience, and understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. She supplements rather than replaces the woman's partner and care-provider. She helps make a woman's birth experience a positive event with rich rewards and feelings of accomplishment.

WHY CHOOSE A DOULA?
Each person involved in the care of the laboring woman contributes to her emotional well-being. However, doctors, nurses, and midwives are primarily responsible for the health and well-being of the mother and baby. Medical care providers must assess the condition of the mother and fetus, diagnose and treat complications as they arise, and focus on the safe delivery of the baby. These priorities rightly take precedence over the non-medical psycho-social needs of a laboring woman. The doula helps to ensure that these needs are met while enhancing communication and understanding between woman or couple and staff. Along with her knowledge and objective perspective, a doula brings a loving human touch that contributes to a respectful environment and a gentle beginning for you and your baby.

HOW DO BIRTH PARTNERS AND DOULAS WORK TOGETHER?
A doula can never replace the love and caring that the birth partner provides during the birth experience. No one else can fill this special role. A doula gives the birth partner ideas about what comfort measures work best during different parts of labor and birth. A doula's knowledge and experience can help the birth partner participate comfortably in the birth. The doula and birth partner work as a team.