What is a Doula?

"The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily."

(taken from the DONA website...they just say it so well)


For me as a Christian it has another meaning too.  I am a servant of Jesus Christ.  I live to know Him and make Him known.  In Bible College I remember learning that when the apostle Paul spoke of himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ, it was the Greek word Doulos that he used.  A literal definition would be, "one whose will is taken up with the will of another."  I want that to be who I am.   I am a Doula.