What is a Doula?

The word "doula," pronounced "doo-lah," comes from modern Greek meaning ‘servant-woman, slave,’ but today, it refers to a trained professional who provides non-medical emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period.

While hiring a doula may seem like an added expense, it is worth it. Doulas help create a more positive birth experience, with studies showing that their presence reduces the need for pain medication, interventions, and C-sections, and leads to shorter labors and more positive birth experiences overall.

During pregnancy, doulas provide emotional support and evidence-based information, guiding you in making informed birth decisions. During labor, doulas offer physical support through relaxation techniques, encouragement, and advocacy, ensuring your wishes are respected. After birth, doulas continue to support you and your family, assisting with breastfeeding, recovery, bonding, and easing the transition into parenthood.

 

Where’s the evidence?

There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean:

  • Reduced risk of Caesarean birth † *.

  • Reduced risk of instrumental birth † *.

  • Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth † *.

  • Reduced rate of induction of labour † *.

  • Shorter labour †.

  • Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience. †

  • Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.

  • Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks *.

  • Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology †.

  • Improve equity and provide culturally responsive care#

* Brigstocke S. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 24, no 2, 2014, pp 157-160

#Meghan A Bohren and Sarah Chapman Cochrane review
† Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5 and Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.