The term doula refers to a supportive companion, other than a friend or loved one, who is professionally trained to provide support during labor and childbirth. There are also post-partum doulas who are experienced in providing care for the family after childbirth. Such care may include mother and newborn care, breastfeeding support and advice, cooking, errands, and light cleaning. The Role of a Doula Doulas provide physical and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. Such support includes help and advice on breathing, relaxation, massage, and positioning.
Doulas also give assistance to families in finding information about labor options.
Perhaps most importantly, a doula is there to give continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. In short, a doula provides any sort of help that a woman and her partner may need so that the woman has a safe and satisfying childbirth. However, a doula is not trained in any medical skills and thus does not perform any clinical tasks. Consequently, a doula is an addition to an obstetrician or a midwife, not a substitution. A doula does not take the place of the partner.