A doula is an assistant who provides various forms of non-medical and non-midwifery support (physical and emotional) in the childbirth process. Based on a particular doula’s training and background, the doula may offer support during prenatal care, during childbirth and/or during the postpartum period.

A birth doula provides support during labour. Thus a labor doula may attend a home birth or might attend the labouring woman during labor at home and continue while in transport and then complete supporting the birth at a hospital or a birth centre. A doula also attend caesarean births and VBAC's.

This is the support the Doulas of today are bringing back to mothers. Many of us are mothers ourselves and mostly we wish for all mothers to fully experience the joy of childbirth. Once a woman has felt her body work harmoniously with its birthing rhythms and hormones, and has gone through a truly natural childbirth, all the aspects of raising her child flow easily.

Mothers who have Doula support very seldom request medical intervention such as epidurals or analgesics. The need for Caesarean Sections and neonatal (baby) intensive care is greatly reduced. The success rate of breastfeeding increases dramatically and postnatal depression is often averted.