What Is A Doula?

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A doula is a trained or experienced professional who provides non-medical prenatal and postpartum support to the mother, partner and family during the transformative period of pregnancy and birth.

 

A birth doula's role will differ depending on their training and expertise but typically, they will assist clients in assimilating their birth preferences and deciding what resources they would like to use to best prepare them for labor and delivery. Birth doulas are able to attend births in a hospital, birth center or at home. They attend to the mother throughout the length of the labor, helping her and her partner implement their expressed comfort measures and relaxation techniques. After delivery, a birth doula will visit with the new family, to check in a see how things are progressing, usually within a week of delivery.

 

A postpartum doula will enter the home and help families transition into their new roles by providing multifaceted support during the first six to eight weeks of life. Postpartum doulas assist with lactation support, newborn care, parenting resources, nutritional support and meal preparation. They also tackle light housework and run household related errands.