What is a Doula?

Doula is Greek for "woman slave"- but it doesn't mean that quite literally anymore!

 A Doula is a non-medical support person for women in labor. A Doula is an advocate for the laboring woman's choices in the delivery room, and even in the operating room, in some cases.  

Most importantly, a Doula "Mothers the Mother" during her transformation from womanhood to motherhood.

Having a Doula doesn't necessarily mean having a natural, "granola-birth." Having a Doula means having educated, informed support for your whole family in this time of transition. Having a Doula means having the birth experience you want to have. No more, no less.

Why Choose a Doula?

Many women are confident in their partners' abilities to support them throughout labor and birth, and in the immediate postpartum. And this is quite often the case. But asking them to do it alone is a bit like asking them to run a marathon without training first! 

If this is your first baby, it is especially important to consider a doula, as the whole experience is often unfamiliar. 

Many women ask their mothers and sisters to fill the role as doula, and that is wonderful! Having a trained doula in the background can be very helpful, even in these cases, to provide breaks for the family should the labor be lengthy, to provide encouragement and support, and to help with any decision-making by knowing the latest research and facts regarding birth in the United States. 

Some women find themselves giving birth without a partner present, and in these cases, a doula plays a vital role. Labor and birth can be challenging, and are a lot of good, hard, work! As with any task, it is better when someone offers a helping hand. 

Doulas can be essential in the preparation for labor, as well. Doulas can answer many pregnancy questions, and provide information and counseling about the prenatal, natal, and postnatal period.