doula

noun

dou·la | \ ˈdü-lə

plural doulas

Definition of doula

: 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

It was already rumored that Meghan wanted to give birth at Frogmore Cottage instead of at a hospital, and had been working with a doula well in advance of the birth. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Did Meghan Markle Have a Home Birth? Here's Every Clue," 6 May 2019 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced an initiative to include Medicaid coverage for doula support. — Frances F. Denny, Harper's BAZAAR, "What People Don’t Tell You About Childbirth: The Realities of Vaginal Tearing," 16 July 2018 Not that this choice is old-fashioned: Markle has also reportedly hired a doula to assist her while in labor. — Vogue, "How Meghan Markle’s Birth Plan Will Differ from Kate Middleton’s," 17 Apr. 2019 According to Vanity Fair, the Duchess of Sussex is readying herself for her baby's arrival in multiple holistic ways, including using acupuncture, practicing natural birth techniques, and enlisting the services of a doula. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle, Like Her Sister-in-Law Kate Middleton, Is Reportedly Planning for a Natural Birth," 6 Feb. 2019 Unfortunately, many African-American families are unable to afford the security and assurance that a doula can provide. — New York Times, "Readers Respond to the 4.15.18 Issue," 25 Apr. 2018 Katie’s sister is a doula; another community member is a pediatric nurse. — Anndee Hochman, Philly.com, "The Parent Trip: Heather Bargeron and Katie Aikins of Germantown," 23 May 2018 Mary Esther Malloy, center, holding her son Bo Hopwood, with her doula, Laura Wolfe, left, and nurse, right, at the then Roosevelt birth center in 2004. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "Mount Sinai to Close Natural Birthing Center After Two Decades," 31 July 2018 The actress's other profession as a certified birth doula probably played a part in her decision to speak out as well. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "Hallmark Star Ashley Williams Speaks Out About Her Miscarriage," 28 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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22 May 2019

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Time Traveler for doula

The first known use of doula was in 1969

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More Definitions for doula

doula

noun

English Language Learners Definition of doula

medical : a woman whose job is to give advice and comfort to a woman who is giving birth

See the full definition for doula in the English Language Learners Dictionary

doula

noun

dou·la | \ ˈdü-lə

Medical Definition of doula

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