The word "doula"comes from the Greek word meaning "a woman who serves" and is now
used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous
physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during, and after birth.
A Birth Doula:
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint
- Helps provide the mother with the information she needs to make informed decisions
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her clinical care providers
- Perceives her role as nurturer and protector of the woman's memory of the birth experience
- Facilitates and assists the mother's partner in participating at his/her comfort level
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