"What does a doula do?"

A doula practices within the belief that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy processes, and that quality support during birth contributes to better outcomes for mothers and babies.  While a doula employs a variety of methods to help reduce the pain of labor and to minimize the chance of complications, continual emotional support is her most essential tool.

A doula does not perform clinical tasks, such as fetal heart checks or internal exams for the mother.  Also, a doula does not make decisions for the laboring woman or offer medical advice.  Rather, a doula assists the laboring woman and her partner to gather information necessary to make  decisions that are right for them, and to provide helpful support.

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