What is a Doula?
"Doula" refers to a supportive companion (other than a friend or loved one) who is professionally trained to provide labor support. She performs no clinical tasks. "Doula" also refers to lay women who are trained or experienced in providing postpartum care - mother and newborn care, breastfeeding support and advice, cooking, child care, errands, and light cleaning - for the family. To distinguish between the two types of doulas, one may refer to "birth doulas" and "postpartum doulas."
A birth doula protects the woman’s memory of her childbirth.
A birth doula provides:
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Studies show when a birth doula attends birth:
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