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
Susan GilbertExamples of doula in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But many people are seeking solutions for what to do while processing the understandable nerves, concern, and overwhelm that come with giving birth in the U. S.
Aina says doulas, like midwives and OB/GYNs, are essential aspects of the team of providers.
—A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
Based in her hometown of Nashville, Delaney is a licensed massage therapist, postpartum doula and yoga instructor who founded Hand to Heart Wellness.
—Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
The How to Get Away with Murder star went on to thank her doula and her doctor before taking a moment to express her gratitude for her husband, Marshall Trenkmann.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Ask your doula or nurse to provide you with more information on this practice.
4.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024
In Kentucky, there are now at least 13 death doulas, by Hunter-Smith’s count.
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024
For Tamar’s birth in March 2020, Teresa and Jeff had a midwife, birth assistant, doula and friend to support them.
—Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024
There are new Medi-Cal benefits to pay for doulas and community health workers, who can help patients navigate care, the response said.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
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
A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
Based in her hometown of Nashville, Delaney is a licensed massage therapist, postpartum doula and yoga instructor who founded Hand to Heart Wellness.
—Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
The How to Get Away with Murder star went on to thank her doula and her doctor before taking a moment to express her gratitude for her husband, Marshall Trenkmann.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Ask your doula or nurse to provide you with more information on this practice.
4.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024
In Kentucky, there are now at least 13 death doulas, by Hunter-Smith’s count.
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024
For Tamar’s birth in March 2020, Teresa and Jeff had a midwife, birth assistant, doula and friend to support them.
—Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024
There are new Medi-Cal benefits to pay for doulas and community health workers, who can help patients navigate care, the response said.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
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
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Doula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doula. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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