For Families

What is a doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves". It is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous support to the mother during pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period.

A Birth Doula

-Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life

-Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour

-Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth

-Stays with the woman throughout the labour

-Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint

-Helps the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions

-Facilitates communication between the labouring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers

-Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience

-Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials CD(DONA).

For more information and for a doula in your area you can access www.doulacare.ca or http://ww.dona.org/