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

The program, beginning in August, will help around 700 families annually access health services including doula and midwife care; educational resources for birthing and caregiving; essentials like diapers and wipes and car seats. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 June 2024

What's nore, research shows that postpartum doulas play just as important of a role after delivery as birth doulas do during it. —Pam Skop, Parents, 15 May 2024

Arthur is helping introduce people to the value of death doulas. —Kelly Mickle, TIME, 2 May 2024

The organization was founded in 1992 and was the first to train and certify doulas. —Theara Coleman, theweek, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

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