'Doula' is an ancient Greek word.

Today it is commonly used to describe a trained professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

The word doula in the way we understand it today was first used in the 1970s to refer to a woman who provides postpartum care (see the book The Tender Gift by Dana Raphael) and now includes support during pregnancy and childbirth.

Birth Doula

Women have always surrounded women in childbirth. Until 100 years 90% of births took place at home with the laboring women supported by a sisterhood made up of her mother, sister, friends and neighbors. It was common for women to have witnessed many births before she had her first baby which gave her a greater knowledge, comfort, perspective and experience that benefited her in her own birthing experience.

Since then we have shifted birth to the hospital and most women don't have that kind of experience and support anymore.

A birth doula is there to support a couple during pregnancy and childbirth with their wishes and will try to see that that comes about within the parameters of the medical profession. Having the support of a birth doula reduces interventions and brings a positive birth experience.

Postpartum Doula

The postpartum doula comes in after birth to help transition to be a family.

In traditional societies, women and men grow up around birth, breastfeeding, infants and children. After giving birth, women are surrounded by caring family members who have a great deal of experience and wisdom to offer. In our society, this kind of support is rarely available to new parents and many find themselves ill-prepared for this transition and isolated from caring, knowledgeable helpers and advisors.

Coming into the home during the fourth trimester following birth, the doula's role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tasks. Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents. The doula can serve as a buffer for new parents who receive a great deal of unsolicited and possibly outdated advice. The doula can help friends and family members to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new parents. By modeling deep respect for the wisdom and decision-making abilities of the new parents, she makes clear that supporting them in their own choices will have the best possible results. By dedicating herself to the family in this way, the doula validates and enhances the parents' intuitive ability to nurture and encourages them to develop and implement their own parenting style.

Source: Dona International