What is a doula, anyways?

Let’s start with what a doula isn’t. A doula is NOT a midwife (a medical professional who delivers the baby). A doula is not any other medical professional either.

Doulas act primarily as an emotional support and advocate for the laboring mama. Doulas listen to your preferences for your ideal labor, accompany you to the hospital (or other birthing location), advocate for your preferences during labor, and help you cope through contractions. Doulas often have different techniques and tools to help women manage labor pains. This could be anything from breathing techniques to tens machine to counter pressure.

Research has shown that doulas influence lower rates of medical interventions by helping women work WITH their body during labor rather than against it.