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

Training doulas to spot the heat risks Another Florida nonprofit is taking the lead in protecting pregnant people from extreme heat by educating doulas on the health risks of exposure. —Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025

Pacific time, her death doula, Melissa McClave, will have arrived to guide Roseana and her family through the end of life process. —Eileen Finan, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Pacify’s doulas provide guidance on physical recovery, newborn care, and the emotional adjustments that come with parenthood. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Training and onboarding new doulas is critical. —Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

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