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

Kane’s program, housed under CMS, was created to support mothers on Medicaid — increasing access to birth centers, doulas and midwives, cutting down on risky procedures like C-sections and tracking outcomes like low infant birth weight. —Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2025

In certain professional circles — like, say, those of yoga instructors and doulas — this type of icebreaker might be welcomed. —Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025

So covering doula services can help foster a supportive environment for all employees. —Cynthia McEwen, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Medicaid reimbursement for doula services and postpartum mental health screening are among the March of Dimes' recommendations for improving the state's grade and outcomes. —Arika Herron, Axios, 14 Jan. 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