What is a doula?

dou·la

 

noun

noun: doula; plural noun: doulas

1. a woman who is trained to assist another woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born.

 

A doula, also known as a birth companion and post-birth supporter, is a person, usually a woman, who assists another woman before, during, and/or after childbirth, as well as her spouse and/or family, by providing physical assistance and emotional support. The provision of continuous support during labor is associated with improved maternal and fetal health and a variety of other benefits, including lower risk of induction and interventions and less need for pain relief. These benefits are particularly significant when continuous support is provided by someone who is not there as family/friend or as medical staff (i.e. a doula). Additionally, a doula is sometimes hired to work with families beyond the postpartum stages, providing continued physical and emotional support, for as long as needed (sometimes, this support can be ongoing for several years).

 

A bereavement doula typically offers all the mentioned services, but is also trained in bereavement, and is available for parents experiencing the death of an infant child at any stage and will advocate for your wishes regarding your baby after it has passed, help with bonding, help process your experience.