The word "Doula" (Greek in origin) was traditionally used to signify a woman servant or caregiver who attended women during birth and the post partum period. Nowadays the word doula is used to describe someone who attends women during labour and after the birth, but the emphasis now is as much on assisting the empowerment of women through the birthing process as it is in providing practical and physical and emotional support. Doulas support women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. This support is practical and emotional but non-medical in nature. |