What is a Doula?
The word “doula” comes from the Greek word “doulos” meaning “servant.”
A doula is professionally trained to care for women during pregnancy, labor, and birth by providing:
• Emotional support (reassurance, encouragement, continuous presence)
• Physical support (comfort measures, positioning, massage, breathing, relaxation)
• Informational support (knowledge of labor progression, information about medical
interventions and procedures, non-medical advice)
• Partner support (reassurance, encouragement, role modeling, guidance for comforting
the woman in labor)
A doula is not a medical care provider.
A doula does not prescribe treatments or medicine, give medical advice, or perform clinical or medical tasks.
A doula does not make decisions for clients, but she does provide parents with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their healthcare.