What is a doula?

"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, 2023

As doulas wear many hats, there can be a lot of confusion about what exactly a doula is. The easiest way to understand a doula's role is to first understand what a doula is not.

A doula is not to...

Perform any clinical tasks such as cervical exams, fetal monitoring, or delivering babies
Offer medical advice, judge the mother's choices, or push personal agenda
Make decisions about the family's birth plan
Replace a partner or family members

According to DONA International, one of the leading certifying bodies for birth professionals, a 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.". Doulas are the only person during labor that is there to focus on you entirely. Clinical staff such as your OB, nurses, and midwife support you and your baby's physical health. Your partner or other relatives you may have in the room are there to witness the birth and to support you. Your doula is there to focus on you and only you. The doula-client relationship is one where you are in total control. We listen to what is important to you and provide you with the tools and knowledge to advocate for yourself.

Source: https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/

What does a doula actually do?

This may look different for every doula depending on their style or client need, but a doula may...

Suggest positions to help make you more comfortable
Provide holistic tools to help you out: birthing balls, ice packs, heating pads, essential oils, and motivational quotes...
Hold your hand- in a situation where everything may not have gone as planned, you can have relief in knowing that your doula will be with you every step of the way.
Teach and empower you to advocate for yourself- by coaching you to ask the right questions during your labor and educating you on your options, you can feel confident in making decisions for yourself and your family.
Be a friend, helper, and support person through the time you work together- as doulas are not medical professionals, our relationship can be more personal and relaxed. We are here to get to know your story, your fears, hopes, and expectations.
Take the pressure off of your partner and family members- having a third-party support person who is not emotionally involved in the labor can be helpful in guiding your loved ones through how they can support you best.