What is a Doula?

"Doula" comes from the Greek meaning "a woman who serves." And that's just what a Doula is there for - to help! Doulas now, are people who are trained and experienced and provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during, and after her baby is born. Some Doulas provide postpartum support as well. 

A Doula does the following: 

• We aren't there to take over, we're there to be supportive and encouraging; the partner (be it the father or any other birth partner) is allowed and fully encouraged to participate.
• We're there to help the communication flow. We want everyone to be on the same page; that includes the mother, birth partner, and doctors/nurses. 
• We are there to provide emotional support to you and your partner. We also want to make sure you're physically comfortable. 
• The birth of a baby is an amazing experience that the mother will remember for the rest of her life and we are there to recognize that. We want to do nothing but make your experience the best that it can be. 
• We understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs that a woman has while in labor. 
• We are there to assist the woman in carrying out her birth plans. While we know that not everything always goes according to plan, we'll try to make sure that everything does. 
• We will offer you an objective viewpoint as well as get you any information you need in order to make informed decisions.  
• We see our roles as Doulas as nurturing and protective. We want to do those things for the woman while she's in labor; protecting your memory of your birth is important to us. 
• We will stay with you throughout your whole labor.