Doula /doulē/ (Greek)

"woman servant”

Women have supported women in childbirth since the dawn of time, even though the concept of a “doula” may seem like a modern phenomenon.

A doula is a professional support person, trained in the needs of the mother during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. It is a task of mothering the mother.

A doula provides guidance, emotional support (including praise, encouragement, and reassurance), evidence-based education and information, and hands-on support during childbirth (including physical comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and other ways to enhance labor progress). They are also well versed in the emotional shifts that laboring mothers experience and how to adjust to the changing moods and movements as labor progresses. They also advocate for birthing couples during pregnancy and during birth. This advocacy seeks to ensure that mothers are able to have their voices heard, their birthing rights defended, and so that they can make the right decisions for their bodies/baby. Doulas DO NOT perform clinical tasks, give medical advice, or make decisions for you, but rather help you access the information you need to make informed decisions.

Core Competencies

  1. Physiology of childbirth

  2. Common interventions and evidence-based care

  3. Comfort measures during childbirth

  4. Emotional support

  5. For those who are also postpartum doulas - supporting families in the initial adjustments during the postpartum season

There is a large amount of research from all around the world, that shows that the continuous presence of a caring, knowedgable doula can:

  • Shorten the length of labor

  • Lessen the use of Pitocin

  • Lessen the need for pain medication

  • Lessen the chance of a Cesarean section

  • Reduce the likelihood of an episiotomy

  • Lessen the chance of an instrumental vaginal delivery (vacuum, forceps)

  • Lessen anxiety, stress, and fear during labor

  • Help create greater satisfaction with labor and the overall birth experience

  • Assist in a heightened appreciation (for the mother) of her body, strength, and performance

  • Play a part in more positive and longer breastfeeding experiences

  • Help generate more positive feelings in general towards baby, self-esteem, towards one’s partner, and lessen the chance of postpartum depression

  • Be the nonclinical care that can improve clinical outcomes

A note to partners -

An effective doula enhances, rather than takes away from a partner’s participation. A doula cannot and does not take over this role because you know your birthing partner better and love them and baby more than anyone else does. A doula works with partners to guide and assist them on how to help, suggesting when to use particular positions, hydrotherapy, and other comfort techniques to cope more comfortably. A doula relieves partners when they need a meal, a nap, or just a quick break, in order for them to come back and best serve laboring mother. A doula helps partners to stay grounded if they are worried about the laboring mother’s well-being, helps them to understand what the laboring mother may be feeling, and interpret the signs of labor progress. Doulas support partners so they can participate more confidently because a partner’s confidence directly benefits the laboring mother.

What happens to her during birth makes an especially deep impression. If she emerges from labor feeling strong, confident, and nurtured, she will be in a much better position to nurture her baby in turn and to cope with stresses and strains that inevitably accompany the early weeks of life with a newborn.
— Henci Goer