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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Volunteers will change bedding, handle donations, clean laundry and serve as death doulas. Jack Rodriquez-Vars, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025 She's since expanded her career and is a birth doula, writer and podcast host with her wife. Caroline Blair, People.com, 18 June 2025 The collective assigns doulas to serve families and also trains and employs people to work as doulas. Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025 Keenan-Bolger also serves as an end-of-life doula, providing counsel to those facing the end of their lives, as well as their families and loved ones. Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doula

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doula. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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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