The word “doula” comes from the Greek word “doulē,” which translates to, “female servant.” These women provided emotional support, guidance, and comfort to the laboring woman, ensuring a safe and positive birth experience.
Doulas today are trained on how to provide not only support to the mother, but also to her significant other or family. A few ways a doula might be able to support you is by coaching you through contractions, suggesting different positions to help labor progress, advocate for your desired birth plan, inform you on different procedures before, during and after birth, support your partner and motivate you. Our role as a doula is non-medical and we do not provide medical advice or medical care as we are not licensed to do so.
Having a doula present during your pregnancy, labor and birth journey has been proven to lower the likelihood of a cesarean birth, reduce the need for pain medications throughout labor, shorten the length of labor, reduce the chance of postpartum depression and anxiety, and increase the success of breastfeeding.