Historically, the term Doula (Greek) referred to a female who served a laboring woman.  Today, the term refers to a childbirth professional who provides education, emotional and physical support to laboring women and their families.  The role may have expanded but the concept remains the same, woman helping woman.

A doula is:   

· a healthcare professional who understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a laboring woman.

· one who helps parents to understand the process and work with them during labor and birth to create a positive and healthy experience for the family.

· one who provides non-medical continuity of care for birthing women.

· one who recognizes childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember forever.

· one who provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman to get the tools she needs to make informed decisions.