"Doula" is the Greek word for woman servant
Whenever I tell people I am a Doula, I always get the same response..."What is a doula?" The word "Doula" comes from a greek work meaning "slave." A doula is a woman who supports women and their families during childbirth and is professionally trained in labor support. A doula provides emotional and physical support, help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, massage and positioning, assistance to families in gathering information about the course of their labor and their options, emotional reassurance and comfort, and non-medical skills such a massage.

As a doula, I will provide support for you and your partner during labor. I will provide emotional, physical, and informational support for you and your family during labor, while your careprovider, be they a midwife, OB/Gyn, or family practitioner will take care of your prenatal care and birth. I will make sure someone is always available to look after you emotionally and help you attain the birth you desire.

I will assist you and your partner in preparing for and attaining your plans for childbirth, stay by your side throughout labor, and facilitate communication between the laboring woman, your partner, and the clinical providers.


They also provide assistance to families in gathering information about the course of their labor and their options; continuous emotional reassurance and comfort; massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures and assistance to partners who want to play an active support role help so the woman has a safe and fulfilling birth experience.

A doula can not only provide support and compassion to a birthing woman and her partner, but she can also act as a buffer of sorts between her clients and the hospital staff. Having another person present during labor, in addition to the father, tends to reduce the chance of negative comments from the staff after all, it IS human nature to be on your best behavior when there is an audience! The doula does her best to ensure that the hospital's routine does not interfere with the quality of the birth experience and over shadow the parents needs. It is not at all her intent to tell the staff how to perform they jobs, but to remind everyone what the mother wants and that her needs are met.

Doulas also provide postpartum care as well, but usually the services of a postpartum doula are separate from those of a birth doula. She can provide mother and newborn care, breastfeeding support and advice, cooking, childcare, errands, and light housekeeping. A doula helps to foster confidence in the new mother and provided much needed support and encouragement. The role of a postpartum doula is to ease the transition into motherhood and allow the mother to fully enjoy her newborn.

A doula does not have any medical responsibilty or authority to do things such as; vaginal examinations, monitoring, or any other medical procedure. She is there solely for the purpose of serving and guiding you through your labor and birth. She has no other responsibility than to help you with your labor. A doula understands and recognizes the variety of ways women labor and the different things they are comforted by.

You are the queen in labor, and the doula is your handmaiden, a very educated handmaiden.

Most importantly a doula is a woman who sees birth as an important time in your life and wants to help your experience be a good one for you. She understands the things you are feeling emotionally and physically. She will share your mood, or help you rise above despair, she will come along side you with a compassionate heart, and serve you with loving hands.

Statistics on the Benefits of Having a Doula:


Studies have shown that women who use the services of a doula have 25% shorter labors, and a higher VBAC success rate.
Having a doula may decrease:

Epidural use by 60%
Cesarean birth by 50%
Pitocin use by 40%
Narcotics use by 30%
Length of labor by 25%



The Klaus/Kennel studies indicate that women who have had the support of a doula have more positive feelings regarding their birth experience and an easier transition to motherhood.