Doula translates from Greek as woman's servant. A doula acts to support a woman and her family as she anticipates the coming of a new child and during the birth. Many doulas also provide postpartum assistance. In labor support terminology, a doula is a professional supportive companion to a laboring woman. Doulas may or may not be trained to provide labor support. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks, instead a doula is focused on facilitating the mother's process by being there for her and helping her and her family fully participate in the experience. The term 'doula' can additionally be used to refer to lay people that are trained or experienced in providing postpartum support such as cooking, cleaning, child care and breastfeeding support. In general, a doula's role is to provide support. The type of support a doula can provide falls into 4 categories.
A doula is able to provide care to a laboring woman that other providers are simply not able to contribute. Physicians, midwifes, the nursing staff and even the mother's family are invested in other aspects of bringing the child into the world. A doula can be there for a mother to fill in any informational, emotional or physical support gaps that could arise. Women supporting other women through pregnancy, labor and delivery represents a timeless tradition richly embedded in all cultures.
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