Doula

The original meaning of the word doula comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Anthropologist Dana Raphael first used the term doula to refer to experienced mothers who assisted new mothers in breastfeeding and newborn care in the book Tender Gift: Breastfeeding 1973. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Although the word doula is Greek in origin, it is commonly used today to describe a professional birth assistant. ❋ Unknown (2010)

A doula a Greek word meaning “to serve” comes into the home to care for a new family. ❋ LINDA ALBI (1993)

The word doula comes from Ancient Greek δούλη doulē, and refers to a woman of service.... ❋ Unknown (2009)

And today, I called the doula people again; they are having trouble finding one in my area who is free to come in April. ❋ Ailbhe (2004)

While their proponents say a doula, the Greek word for slave, describes "the second-oldest profession" - female birth attendants predate Western medicine by a long way - their use has quadrupled in the past five years. ❋ Unknown (2009)

If you don’t have any close friends who have had a baby recently, or a mom who gave birth too long ago to be “current” and open minded, then a doula is a must. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Today, a doula is a woman trained to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and just after she gives birth. ❋ Judith Lothian RN (2010)

Research has shown doulas to be so effective that neonatologist and researcher John Kennell says, “If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” ❋ Judith Lothian RN (2010)

Some hospital/agency services are set up as on-call doula services. ❋ Judith Lothian RN (2010)

If the partner has personal concerns, he or she may find that hiring a doula is a good idea. ❋ Penny Simkin (2010)

"I don't really have a support system anymore," says one girl, "but I can always call my doula because she still comes around and helps me when I need her." ❋ Unknown (2009)

A doula is a birth assistant who provides emotional and physical support to the mother and her family during labor and delivery. ❋ Unknown (2009)

They were between 8 and 12 minutes apart, so we called our doula to let her know we were in early labor. ❋ ScienceWoman (2007)

We continued to time the contractions, which were now intense enough to keep me from walking or talking through them, and called the doula again when they were 5-6 minutes apart for an hour. ❋ ScienceWoman (2007)