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
Many doulas share lived experiences with their clients and offer culturally relevant support.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
Its Healthy Start Doula program, which has trained and certified more than 115 doulas statewide, has been shown to significantly reduce both C-section rates and birth complications.
—Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025
Midwives can also make difficult medical decisions and administer medications, while doulas can’t.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Millie integrates midwives, OB-GYNs, doulas, technology, and education to deliver a new standard of care.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doula
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Dominique Fluker, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
Its Healthy Start Doula program, which has trained and certified more than 115 doulas statewide, has been shown to significantly reduce both C-section rates and birth complications.
—Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025
Midwives can also make difficult medical decisions and administer medications, while doulas can’t.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Millie integrates midwives, OB-GYNs, doulas, technology, and education to deliver a new standard of care.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doula
Cite this Entry
“Doula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doula. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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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