What is a Doula?
Doula (pronounced Doo-laa) is a Greek word that translates as “mothering the mother” or “female slave”. Doulas are trained to enable them to provide emotional and practical support to a woman and their family during pregnancy, childbirth and the period of time following the birth.
Women have a whole range of complex needs during pregnancy, childbirth and the weeks that follow. Much of a doula’s work is done before the birth even happens, usually meeting with the woman at least twice to talk through their wishes and hopes, worries and if relevant previous birth experiences.