doula

noun

dou·​la ˈdü-lə 

plural doulas

: a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth

Research shows that childbirth does go more smoothly with a doula: labor is 25 percent shorter, the need for epidural pain relief is 60 percent less and the Caesarean section rate is reduced by half.

—Susan Gilbert

Examples of doula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pregnant women are now allowed to temporarily receive Medicaid coverage while their eligibility is being processed, and Medicaid covers doula services and remote monitoring of vitals. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

The Roots Family Center has opened a new space in Denver aimed at expanding its community programs, including a growing doula program that supports families through pregnancy and childbirth. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Making Headway in Medical Practices Today, HoopDee’s app is recommended by more than 40 public and private practices, hospitals, and doulas in the United States. —Jon Stojan, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

Death doula Alua Arthur founded her company to help those at the end of life. —Arianna Huffington, Time, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Modern Greek, female helper, maidservant, from Greek doulē female slave

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for doula

• beulah
• chula
• gula
• hula
• kula
• ula
• betula
• blastula
• fistula
• radula
• regula
• scrofula

Medical Definition

doula

noun

dou·​la ˈdü-lə 

: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth