What is a doula?
"Doula" is a Greek word that means "woman who serves". While not a licensed medical professional, doulas typically have extensive knowledge about the childbirth process from conception through delivery and beyond.
Doulas perform a variety of functions depending on the needs of the family with whom she is working. Doulas typically accompany the mother during labor and through delivery assisting her in whatever way would be most beneficial. Unfortunately, society has morphed away from its past with regards to labor companionship. While female friends and relatives of the mother used to provide care and assistance during labor, today those functions are performed by nurses who are unable to provide continuous care. Some women spend more than half of their labor all by themselves with no support whatsoever in hospitals.
Having a doula during labor and delivery can greatly improve the chances for a mother to have a safe and healthy delivery in a very relaxed way while minimizing the necessity of medical intervention and reducing the likelihood of complication. By providing the calm hand of an experienced labor companion, doulas allow women to experience the true miracle of childbirth without becoming overwhelmed by panic and fear.