What is a Doula?
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves”. These days the word is used in the context of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period for someone who provides support or “mothers” the family during this incredible time of transition.
What does a Doula do?
Almost anything you need them to! Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical and informational support to mothers and partners starting in pregnancy and continuing through the postpartum period. 
During pregnancy, we help you plan for the birth you want and prepare you for this next step in your life. We attend your birth, ready to fully support you in whatever way you specifically need, whether that is through massage, assistance with finding a comfortable and effective position, an encouraging word, helping you communicate your wishes to your care provider and medical staff, or just running to get food for your partner so they can remain with you in labour. After you’ve settled in with your baby, we provide you with breastfeeding support, and come with lists of resources should you need more help than we can provide with any issue.
What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
From the DONA website:
- Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications.
- Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
- Research shows parents who receive support can:
– Feel more secure and cared for
– Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
– Have greater success with breastfeeding
– Have greater self-confidence
– Have less postpartum depression
– Have lower incidence of abuse