Doula is a greek word whose definition has come to mean a woman who helps other women. The word has further evolved to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and after childbirth.
Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus
The Doula Book
A birth doula provides continuous support to a woman through labor and birth. She is experienced in childbirth and is specially trained to care for the birthing mother's needs. A postpartum doula assists women in their homes during the postpartum period. She is experienced in newborn care and breastfeeding and has also been trained to assist the mother with her personal postpartum needs. A doula does not interfere with the interaction between the mother and her husband, or between the mother and her caregiver. She compliments these relationships and is part of the mother's "birth team".
As a D.O.N.A. trained doula I follow their standards of practice and code of ethics. For more information about Doulas of North America, please visit www.dona.org