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

The plaintiffs include a doctor, pharmacist, two reproductive rights advocates and the Birthmark Doula Collective — a doula practice that advocates for pregnant people in Louisiana. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024

The doula collective raises money to help women pay for medical care, or transportation and overnight stays associated with abortions. —Ariel Wittenberg, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

By the numbers: Medicaid pays for about 58% of births in Arkansas, but people on Medicaid can't necessarily access community health workers or doulas. —Alex Golden, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024

My director/co-deviser/co-conspirator/collaborator/artistic doula/lifelong friend Corey Podell is the best secret weapon in the biz. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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