What is a Doula?

“Whenever and however you give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life.” 
Ina May Gaskin   
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.


A Birth Doula:

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

A Postpartum Doula: 

  • Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester
  • Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tidying
  • Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary

Doulas and Cesareans

Doulas and CBAC by Heidi Thaden-Pierce
"Moms having a cesarean birth hire a doula for many of the same reasons you would benefit from a doula at ANY birth – emotional support, explanations and reassurance, reminders of your birth plan, recording a time line of events, someone to stay with mom while dad is at the baby’s side, and breastfeeding support.  Don’t forget a doula begins providing services during your pregnancy – meeting with you for prenatal visits, helping you explore your birth hopes and plans, talking over any concerns you have and connecting you with resources.  Postpartum, a doula visits to help ensure your nursing relationship is going well, talks over your birth experience with you, and provides follow up support.  Doulas are a fantastic help for ALL moms, as they work with you through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time."

Doula for a Cesarean Birth, by Robin Elise Weiss

Is it worth hiring a doula if I'm going to have a C-section? by Rachel Wickersham.

Doula Support During C-Section 

Mothering the mother in ALL circumstances: Doulas and Cesareans 

What Goes Into a Family-Centered Cesarean Birth Plan





Natalia Hals *612-801-9886* natalia@awomansdesign.com
Physical. Emotional. Informational. 
Support Throughout the Childbearing Year
A Woman's Design, LLC. provides birth and postpartum doula support and childbirth education in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities area. 
Any specific medical questions should be addressed by licensed professionals or your caregiver.