Video credit, Dona International www.dona.org

The word ‘doula’ (pronounced ‘doo-la’) is a Greek word meaning ‘woman servant or caregiver’. Today, a doula is defined as a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. A doula (also known as a birth attendant) believes in ‘mothering the mother’, enabling a woman to have the most satisfying experience that she can, from pregnancy and into motherhood. This type of support allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience too.

Women have complex needs. This is especially true during pregnancy, labor, and birth. Having a doula can help to meet these needs and make the entire process significantly better for the mother, partner, and baby. The doula is the advocate for the mother, enabling her to have a more empowered birth experience.

“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”

— John H Kennell, M.D.