What is a Doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek and it means servant. It is now used to refer to a professionally trained Labour Assistant, who gives continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the birthing family before, during and after childbirth.

A Doula…

• Will help the woman achieve a more satisfying birth experience.
• Will help women take the most out of the birth experience no matter how the birth unfolds.
• Recognizes childbirth as a life experience that the woman will remember all her life.
• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing and carrying out their plans for the birth.
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional and physical needs of a woman in labour.
• Stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout her entire labour (no shift changes)
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and helps the woman in labour get the information she needs in order to make decisions
• Facilitates communication between the labouring woman her partner and clinical care providers.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well being of mothers and infants.