What Is A Doula?
"A birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible."
-DONA International
A Birth Doula…
Recognizes birth as a significant experience in the life of the birthing person and, when applicable, birth partners
Helps educate, encourage and empower you to have the birth that you desire
Directs you to information and offers suggestions during pregnancy to help fully prepare you for birth and postpartum
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a birthing person in labor
Assists the birthing person and, when applicable, birth partners in preparing for and carrying out their plans for birth
Stays with the birthing person throughout labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as help the birthing person get the information they need to make an informed decision both before labor begins and during the birthing process
Helps to facilitate communication between the laboring person and, when applicable, birth partners and their clinical care providers
Perceives their role as nurturing and protecting the birthing person’s memory of the birth experience
When applicable, helps the birthing person’s partner to participate at their comfort level
