doula

noun

dou·​la ˈdü-lə How to pronounce doula (audio)
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 Meanwhile, Eddie and Buck are focused on romance — and not just with their potential new love interests, hardware store flirtation Marisol (Edy Ganem) and death doula Natalia (Annelise Cepero). Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Unlike hospice workers, doulas don’t provide medical care, and the industry is unregulated — no official training or license is required, although many doulas, including Hunter-Smith, opt to complete an online certification program. Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The Jericho center pays their doulas more than $75 per visit. Anika Nayak, STAT, 12 Jan. 2024 In the wake of her sudden loss, Robinson was inspired to become a doula. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 15 Feb. 2024 When interviewing a doula, ask them about their training and services to ensure that their expertise aligns with your needs, Valdes says. Tiffany Ayuda, SELF, 14 Feb. 2024 The package includes a hotel room, three meals, and 24/7 postpartum support from a care team—including postpartum doulas who offer lactation assistance, emotional support, and administer a postpartum depression survey. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 11 Nov. 2023 Many doctors are supportive of the additional help provided by midwives and doulas – as long as medical help is nearby when needed. Martha Shade, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 The Black Doula Directory can help birthing people find Black doulas across the country and in select countries around the world. Jazmin Towe, Parents, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'doula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doula was in 1969

Dictionary Entries Near doula

Cite this Entry

“Doula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doula. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

doula

noun
dou·​la ˈdü-lə How to pronounce doula (audio)
: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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