What's a Doula

What is a Doula?

A doula is a person who has trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant women and their birthing team before, during, and after labour and birth. Experienced, certified doulas are considered part of the obstetric team. They are endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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How Do Doulas Differ from Midwives?

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Doulas do not provide clinical tasks. Instead, we offer non-medical assistance such as:

• explanations of medical procedures

• 24-hour informational support during pregnancy and postpartum

• positioning suggestions during labour and birth

• massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures

• reassurance

• help with breastfeeding preparation and beginnings

• and most importantly, constant nurturing, helpful, and objective support

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Does a Doula Replace a Birth Partner’s Role?

On the contrary! A doula enhances a birth partner’s role because the doula anticipates the physical and emotional needs of the birther. This takes the pressure off the birth partner and allows them to fulfill their supportive role.

Isn’t the Doula a Stranger?

At the beginning of the relationship, the doula is indeed a stranger, but the doula and birther-to-be spend many hours together before the birth and on an on-call basis with weekly communication during the last month of pregnancy. By the time labour arrives the doula will have become the maternity professional with whom you will feel the most comfortable.