"Doula" is a Greek word whose definition has come to mean a woman who helps other women. The word has further evolved to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and after childbirth.     

A doula spends time with the pregnant mother and her partner to understand her desires about childbirth and helps her prepare for the natural course of childbirth along with the expectations of labor and birth. The doula understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor and will give her continuous support throughout the entire labor and birth. Immediate postpartum support is given to the family in the place of birth. 

Doulas help moms in many birth settings, such as hospitals, in birthing centers or in the comfort of their home. Doulas work beside physicians, midwives and nurses along with your family members.

Doulas help preserve the memory of birth, recognizing childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember throughout her life and may help lower the risk of postpartum depression. 

The postpartum doula also helps the family adjust to having a newborn in the home. They provide non-judgmental physical and emotional support, breastfeeding education and help your family develop strategies to support your childcare viewpoints after your birth.

Statistics with Doula Care

Research studies have found that when doulas attend births, the following results happened: