A doula is a labor support person who has specific training and experience in providing informational, emotional, and physical support and comfort during pregnancy, labor, birth, and after birth. The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves”, but in today’s world, there are men who serve as doulas as well.

Doulas support expecting mothers during their pregnancy, offer education on childbirth, procedures, and their choices. They may assist in creating birth plans. Overall, they support a mother though pain management techniques, reassurance, and advocacy in the birth space.

A doula isn’t limited to just helping in the birth space. They can provide education, pain management techniques, coaching, nutrition, aromatherapy, partner support, resources, and more depending on the services they provide and the training they have obtained.

Doulas can assist women with births at home, in the hospital or at a birth center.

The straight answer is no. Doulas and midwives often work alongside of each other, but their roles are very different. A midwife is a medically trained care provider. A doula is a NON-medical care provider.

Midwives can take place of an OBGYN and be the main care provider for those expecting and may help assist with giving medical advice, run medical tests, take blood pressure, check fetal heartrate, and/or assist with birthing the baby.

Doulas may not provide medical advice, administer medicine, perform medical procedures, and/or make decisions for a mother. Doulas are there to support mothers in their journey while providing education of their options so that mothers are able to make informed decisions of their own.

Research shows that having a doula can lead to shorter labors, reduced need for interventions such as epidural or cesarean section, increased satisfaction with the birth experience, and improved outcomes for both mother and baby such as breastfeeding. Doulas are there to mother the mother and provide a specialized type of support to empower women in their most transformative life change.

There is a common misconception that the doula replaces the partner during birth, and that is simply the opposite of what the doula does! A doula implements ways to support the partner by providing ways to support mom! But I think we all know that your partner knows you best and doulas are just there to guide them and support you alongside of them, not over them.