The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and has been applied to childbirth to refer to "...a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus in Mothering the Mother)
Doulas provide labour support, postpartum support, or both. Labour support consists of emotional and physical guidance (including comfort techniques such as massage, acupressure, and hydrotherapy) as well as informational guidance. A doula does not replace the labouring woman’s partner but frees him to be and do what he is most comfortable with.
Although every expectant family can benefit from the support of a doula, some areas where a birth doula may be particularly helpful are:
- Women planning a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC)
- Women wanting to avoid medication and medical interventions
- Women having a home birth
- Women diagnosed as having a high risk pregnancy
- Women desiring midwifery care but unable to obtain it due to availability
- Women without partners
Postpartum Doulas can support new families by providing emotional support, help with newborn care, baby basics, assistance and guidance with breastfeeding techniques as well as performing household tasks and sibling care.
