What is a doula ?

"Doula" is an ancient Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A woman who "mothers the mother".

Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of female physiology (often their background training is midwifery or antenatal teaching) BUT the doula is not supporting the mother in a clinical role - that is the job of the midwife/medical staff.

The services offered by a doula vary greatly according to the needs of the mother-to-be / parents-to-be. A doula's role has to be flexible to fit in with the given situation e.g. the type of support will differ for a first time mum to that of a woman who has children already. Every birth is unique and therefore every woman's experience is also unique.