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

Other clients have studied to work as birth or death doulas. —Next Avenue, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Through her work as a doula and mom coach, Spears has seen these pressures affect other mothers too. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Equipped with a dedicated team of health care professionals, postnatal retreats provide all-inclusive, continuous care, including doula support, breastfeeding coaches, and, in many instances, mental health support. —Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024

My midwife, Angelina, is a frickin rock star, and my doula, Janicia, they were just heaven sent. —Brande Victorian, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Modern Greek, female helper, maidservant, from Greek doulē female slave

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

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