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What is a Doula:
A Doula is a professional that
provides services to women during
pregnancy, labor and birth. These
services include providing emotional
support, education on pregnancy and
birth, pre-natal visits for consultations,
uninterrupted support during labor,
birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum.
During pregnancy the Doula works
with the woman or couple so that they
are educated on what is happening to
the woman’s body and what changes
will occur during the actual labor and
birth.

CERTIFIED LABOR ASSISTANTS/BIRTH DOULAS ARE TRAINED
TO:

•        Help pregnant women and their families formulate what is important to them during labor and
birth, and work cooperatively within the birth team to help realize these goals.
•        Help women avoid unnecessary interventions and cesareans through education, knowledge of
alternatives, and by facilitating a smooth, unimpeded labor.
•        Provide practical suggestions for working with contractions and pain to help mothers relax,
including touch and massage, emotional support, variations in position and other labor support
techniques.
•        Help to reinforce women's trust in their body's ability to birth normally.
•        Act as an advocate for birthing women within the birth team of care providers; facilitate
families in making informed choices about their care, ensuring they understand the benefits, risks and
alternatives for all tests and procedures.
•        Support and encourage unmedicated, non-technical, woman-centered childbirth as the safest
possible choice for mothers and babies today.
•        When technology and/or medication are truly indicated, support the family it their choices,
staying with them when changes or unexpected outcomes occur.
•        Offer valuable follow-through according to the mother's needs in the postpartum period.